FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Natural Gas Pipeline Easement at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
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Table of Contents 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ...... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need ...... 1-1 1.3 Scope and Content of the Environmental Assessment ...... 1-2 1.4 Decision to be Made...... 1-2 1.5 Agency and Public Participation ...... 1-2 2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ...... 2-1 2.1 Proposed Action ...... 2-1 2.2 Alternatives Considered ...... 2-1 2.3 Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG (Pinehurst Road to Ridgeway Road/Lakehurst Whitesville Road) ...... 2-1 2.4 Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative ...... 2-7 2.5 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Study ...... 2-7 2.6 New Jersey Natural Gas SRL Project ...... 2-8 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ...... 3-1 3.1 General Overview...... 3-1 3.2 Land Use ...... 3-2 3.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases ...... 3-4 3.4 Geology, Topography, and Soils ...... 3-7 3.5 Water Resources ...... 3-9 3.6 Biological Resources ...... 3-14 3.7 Cultural Resources ...... 3-24 3.8 Energy and Infrastructure ...... 3-26 3.9 Materials and Waste ...... 3-27 3.10 Traffic and Noise ...... 3-27 3.11 Socioeconomics ...... 3-27 3.12 Health and Safety ...... 3-28 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...... 4-1 4.1 General Overview...... 4-1 4.2 Land Use ...... 4-1 4.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases ...... 4-2 4.4 Geology, Topography, and Soils ...... 4-6 4.5 Water Resources ...... 4-7 4.6 Biological Resources ...... 4-9 4.7 Cultural Resources ...... 4-10 4.8 Energy and Infrastructure ...... 4-11 4.9 Materials and Wastes ...... 4-12
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 I Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
4.10 Traffic and Noise ...... 4-12 4.11 Socioeconomics ...... 4-13 4.12 Health and Safety ...... 4-13 4.13 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources ...... 4-14 4.14 The Relationship between Local Short-Term Uses of the Human Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term Productivity ...... 4-15 4.15 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts...... 4-15 5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS...... 5-1 5.1 Cumulative Impacts General Overview ...... 5-1 5.2 Cumulative Impacts under Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG ...... 5-9 5.3 Cumulative Impacts under Alternative 2 (No Action Alternative) ...... 5-15 5.4 Connected Actions ...... 5-15 6 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND CONCLUSIONS...... 6-1 7 REFERENCES ...... 7-1 8 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS ...... 8-1 9 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING LETTERS MAILING LIST ...... 9-1 10 PUBLIC DRAFT DISTRIBUTION LIST ...... 10-1
APPENDIX A – Interagency and Intergovernmental Coordination for Environmental Planning and Public Involvement Materials ...... A-1 APPENDIX B – Transmission Integrity Management Plan ...... B-1 APPENDIX C – Threatened and Endangered Species Documentation ...... C-1 APPENDIX D – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Correspondence ...... D-1 APPENDIX E – Cultural Resources Documentation ...... E-1 APPENDIX F – Air Quality Calculations ...... F-1 APPENDIX G – Environmental Baseline Survey ...... G-1
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 II Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
List of Figures Figure 1 Location of JB MDL Figure 2 Location of Proposed Easement for Alternative 1 Figure 3 Project Study Area Figure 4 Pinelands Management Areas Figure 5 Conservation Areas Figure 6 Physiographic Provinces Figure 7 Bedrock Geology Figure 8 Hydric Soils Figure 9 Acidic Soils Figure 10 Watershed Management Areas and New Jersey Water Quality Classifications Figure 11 Natural Features Figure 12 Threatened and Endangered Species Figure 13 Cultural Resources Figure 14 Connected Actions
List of Tables Table 2-1 Proposed Pipeline Corridor Route ...... 2-2 Table 2-2 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration ...... 2-8 Table 3-1 National and State Ambient Air Quality Standards ...... 3-4 Table 3-2 Geologic Formations within the Project Study Area ...... 3-7 Table 3-3 Soil Series within the Project Study Area ...... 3-8 Table 3-4 Watershed Management Areas within the Project Study Area ...... 3-9 Table 3-5 Waters within the Project Study Area...... 3-10 Table 3-6 Wetlands within the Project Study Area ...... 3-12 Table 3-7 Threatened and Endangered Species within the Project Study Area ...... 3-17 Table 4-1 Construction Emissions – Calendar Year 2018 ...... 4-3 Table 4-2 General Conformity Applicability Analysis ...... 4-5 Table 5-1 Past, Present, and Future Projects within JB MDL (Lakehurst Area) ...... 5-2 Table 5-2 Past, Present, and Future Regional Projects ...... 5-6 Table 5-3 Temporary and Permanent Disturbance within Regulated Areas by the Larger SRL Project Area Burlington, Monmouth, & Ocean Counties, New Jersey ...... 5-0
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 III Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
List of Acronyms
µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter DEC DuBois Environmental Consultants ADHaTEC Advanced Deck Handling Technology Evaluation Center EA Environmental Assessment
AF Air Force EAF Expeditionary Airfield
AFI Air Force Instruction EO Executive Order
BMP best management practice FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency BOMARC Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map
CAA Clean Air Act GIS geographic information systems
CAFRA Coastal Area Facility Review Act HAZWOPER Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response Standard Response, Compensation and Liability Act HDD horizontal directional drilling
CERDEC Communications-Electronics HUC Hydrologic Unit Code Research Development and Engineering Command ICRMP Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan CEQ Council on Environmental Quality INRMP Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan CFR Code of Federal Regulations JB MDL Joint Base McGuire-Dix- CH4 methane Lakehurst
CMP Comprehensive Management km kilometer Plan LTA Lighter-than-Air CO carbon monoxide N.J.A.C. New Jersey Administrative Code CO2 carbon dioxide N.J.S.A. New Jersey Statutes Annotated CO2-eq carbon dioxide equivalents NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality CR County Route Standards
CVOC chlorinated volatile organic NAVAIR Naval Air Systems Command chemical NCF Nantucket Conservation Fund CWF Conserve Wildlife Foundation
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 IV Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
NEPA National Environmental Policy PFC perfluorinated chemicals Act PFO Palustrine Forested NHL National Historic Landmark PFOA perfluorooctanoic acid NJBPU New Jersey Board of Public Utilities PFOS perfluorooctane sulfonate
NJDEP New Jersey Department of PL Pinelands Environmental Protection PM particulate matter NJGS New Jersey Geological Survey PM2.5 particulate matter with an NJHPO New Jersey Historic Preservation aerodynamic diameter less than Office or equal to 2.5 micrometers
NJNG New Jersey Natural Gas PM10 particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than NJNHP New Jersey Natural Heritage or equal to 10 micrometers Program ppb parts per billion NJPC New Jersey Pinelands Commission ppm parts per million
N2O nitrous oxide PSA Project Study Area ng/L nanogram per liter psi pounds per square inch
NO2 nitrogen dioxide psig pounds per square inch gauge
NOx nitrogen oxides PSS Palustrine Scrub Shrub
NPS National Park Service PUB Palustrine Unconsolidated Bottom NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service ROI region of influence
NRHP National Register of Historic ROW right-of-way Places SCD Soil Conservation District NWPS National Wilderness Preservation System SESC Soil Erosion and Sediment Control O3 ozone SHPO State Historic Preservation ONRW Outstanding National Resource Office (or Officer) Waters SIP State Implementation Plan OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration SO2 sulfur dioxide
PEM Palustrine Emergent SRL Southern Reliability Link
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 V Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
STP shovel test pit
SWQS Surface Water Quality Standards
T&E Threatened and Endangered tpy tons per year
USAF U.S. Air Force
USC United States Code
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDOT U.S. Department of Transportation
USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
UXO unexploded ordinance
VOC volatile organic compound
WMA Watershed Management Area
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Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
1. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION
1.1 Introduction The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is proposing to grant an easement to New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) that would allow NJNG to construct, operate, and maintain a segment of a proposed 30- inch natural gas pipeline that would traverse Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL). The proposed pipeline segment, approximately 10 miles in length, would be part of the larger NJNG Southern Reliability Link (SRL) Project, which originates in Chesterfield Township and terminates in Manchester Township, New Jersey. Details on the proposed JB MDL easement; construction, operation, and maintenance of the pipeline segment by NJNG; and background information on NJNG’s SRL Project are provided in Chapter 2. JB MDL is located in Central New Jersey (see Figure 1). 1.1.1 Environmental Assessment Framework This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to document the potential for environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action of granting an easement to NJNG for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a natural gas pipeline segment on JB MDL. This EA has been prepared under the provisions of, and in accordance with, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [USC] 4321 et. seq.), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-1508), 30 USC 185 (Rights-of-way [ROWs] for Pipelines through Federal Lands), and 32 CFR 989 (Air Force Environmental Impact Analysis Process).
1.2 Purpose and Need The purpose of the USAF’s Proposed Action is to improve energy resiliency and supply assurance for JB MDL by supporting NJNG’s efforts to add a second primary natural gas supply to service both the region and the installation. The need for the Proposed Action is to advance implementation of the USAF Energy Strategic Plan (USAF, 2013), which includes improving energy resiliency and ensuring energy supply as two of the four main energy priorities now and into the future. JB MDL is currently on the southern end of NJNG’s system, which is largely dependent on one major natural gas supplier. The current single-feed system leaves the installation vulnerable to system shutdown in the event of a disruption to this natural gas supplier or damage to the transmission feed. As the transmission feed is located at the northern end of the NJNG system, customers in the southern end would be the first affected by a system shutdown. A shutdown of the natural gas system could directly affect JB MDL’s ability to efficiently implement its military mission, as well as hamper efforts to provide state-wide support during, and following, catastrophic events. As described in Chapter 2, the NJNG’s SRL Project would create a second supply line that would be serviced by a second major natural gas supplier. These improvements would add needed redundancy to NJNG’s system and, therefore, improve the resiliency and supply assurance of the natural gas system that serves JB MDL. In addition to addressing energy resiliency and supply assurance concerns, JB MDL would benefit from gaining access to natural gas at higher pressures and volumes without having to finance a larger pipeline to the installation. As a result, JB MDL would have the future ability to pursue infrastructure improvements that could further increase energy resilience and operational efficiency. These opportunities, that may otherwise be cost prohibitive, could include replacing old equipment with high-efficiency natural gas equipment, expanding natural
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 1-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement gas service to underserved areas on the installation, and consideration of base-wide energy systems (e.g., heating, electric, compressed natural gas vehicle stations, etc.). Conversion to natural gas in place of other fuels currently used by JB MDL, such as fuel oil, would also provide additional environmental benefits in the form of lower air pollutant emissions and reduced potential for spills or leaks of liquid fuels. The Proposed Action would result in direct economic benefits for JB MDL from easement agreement fees. JB MDL may also realize indirect savings when purchasing natural gas from third-party energy providers that would have the flexibility to access an alternate delivery point and a second major natural gas supplier.
1.3 Scope and Content of the Environmental Assessment This EA considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the USAF’s Proposed Action of granting a pipeline easement on JB MDL to NJNG (Alternative 1), and the USAF’s No Action Alternative of not granting an easement to NJNG (Alternative 2). The USAF was able to dismiss alternatives that did not meet specific screening criteria, such as avoiding areas used for military training and operations, as well as unexploded ordinance (UXO) ‘sweep required’ areas. In addition, alternatives that were not compliant with the Pinelands’ Comprehensive Management Plan were avoided, as were alternatives that would be inconsistent with USAF criteria for minimizing direct or indirect adverse effects to natural resource wildlife habitat, wetlands, or floodplains. The scope of this EA evaluates the potential effects of the alternatives with respect to land use, airspace, air quality, geology, topography and soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, energy and infrastructure, materials and waste, traffic, noise, socioeconomic conditions, and health and safety. This EA will assist the USAF in determining whether significant impacts would occur from the Proposed Action.
1.4 Decision to be Made The USAF will decide on whether to enter into an easement agreement with NJNG and allow for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 30-inch pipeline segment on JB MDL. The USAF will also decide on the duration, terms, and conditions of the easement.
1.5 Agency and Public Participation NEPA ensures that environmental information is made available to the public during the decision-making process and prior to actions being taken. The premise of NEPA is that the quality of federal decision-making will be enhanced if proponents provide information on their actions to state and local governments and the public, involving them in the planning process. The Intergovernmental Coordination Act and Executive Order (EO) 12372 – Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as amended by EO 12416, requires federal agencies to cooperate with and consider state and local views in implementing a federal proposal. EO 13175 – Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments requires that all federal departments and agencies undergo government-to-government consultations with Indian Tribes and respect tribal sovereignty as they develop policy on issues that impact Indian communities. Public participation is a significant component of the NEPA process. Key public notification and participation activities conducted as part of this environmental review process by the USAF include: · Intergovernmental coordination for environmental planning pursuant to the requirements of NEPA by sending letters regarding the scope of the assessment to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Native American Tribes. Chapter
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 1-2 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
9 of this EA provides a list of agencies contacted during initial scoping. Appendix A includes copies of the letters received from the respective agencies. · USAF Intergovernmental Coordination for Environmental Planning letters are not intended to be a substitute for government to government consultations with Native American Tribes that may have an interest in this Proposed Action, nor do they substitute for coordination with regulating agencies. · Publication and distribution of the Draft EA on March 24, 2017 for a 45-day public comment period. Notifications were made to cooperating agencies listed in Chapter 9, and the Draft EA was made available online for public review at NJNG’s Southern Reliability Link website (https://www.njng.com/about/southern-reliability- link/NJNG_SRL_JBMDL_1-300.pdf). The USAF also published a legal Notice of Availability in two local newspapers: the Asbury Park Press and Burlington County Times. Hard copies of the Draft EA and associated reference documents were made available for public review at the Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library and the Pemberton Community Library. The JB MDL Public Affairs Officer acted as the primary point of contact for public inquiries, including the news media. · Consideration of comments received from interested parties in association with the public circulation of the Draft EA. The Draft EA was revised as appropriate to address any substantive comments and issued as this Final EA. · Publication of the Final EA and associated reference documents will be made available online at NJNG’s Southern Reliability Link website (https://www.njng.com/about/southern-reliability-link).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 1-3 2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
NEPA and its implementing regulations direct federal agencies to use the NEPA process to identify and assess the reasonable alternatives to Proposed Actions that would avoid or minimize adverse effects of these actions upon the quality of the human environment (40 CFR 1500.2[e] and 32 CFR 989). This chapter describes the alternatives assessed in this EA, including the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. This chapter also provides background information on the NJNG SRL Project.
2.1 Proposed Action The USAF’s Proposed Action is to grant an easement to NJNG that would allow NJNG to construct, operate, and maintain a segment of a proposed 30-inch natural gas pipeline that would traverse JB MDL. The permanent easement would be approximately 10 feet wide and 10.4 miles in length.
2.2 Alternatives Considered To identify the range of reasonable alternatives, the USAF considered potential entry and exit points at the JB MDL boundary for an easement that would be suitable for NJNG’s SRL Project. The USAF then went through a process of identifying potential corridors between these locations that would satisfy USAF criteria to ensure compatibility with JB MDL’s mission and minimize direct and indirect adverse effects. The USAF gave preference to land areas that are not mission essential, including areas that are under-utilized or that are not suitable for other intensive uses. Preference was also given to areas near facilities that would benefit from a supply of natural gas, including areas not currently served by natural gas and areas of planned future expansion. Consistent with NEPA, the USAF also avoided those areas where direct or indirect adverse effects could occur to known cultural resources, including properties listed on (or eligible for listing on) the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and areas where direct or indirect adverse effects could occur to natural resource wildlife habitat, wetlands, or floodplains. Specific screening criteria for selection of the preferred route included: · Avoiding areas used for military training and operations; · Avoiding UXO ‘sweep required’ areas; · Avoiding potential corridor locations that were not compliant with the Pinelands’ Comprehensive Management Plan; and · Avoiding areas that would be inconsistent with USAF criteria for minimizing direct or indirect adverse effects to natural resource wildlife habitat, wetlands, or floodplains. Table 2-2 in Section 2.5 presents additional alternatives considered, as well as the selection criteria considered and the reasons alternatives were eliminated from further consideration.
2.3 Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG (Pinehurst Road to Ridgeway Road/Lakehurst Whitesville Road) Under Alternative 1, the USAF would grant an easement to NJNG to construct, operate, and maintain a 30-inch natural gas pipeline as described in this section. The easement corridor would begin on the northern end of JB MDL at Pinehurst Road (County Route [CR] 539) and extend to the south and east to the border of JB MDL at Ridgeway Road/Lakehurst Wrightsville Road (see Figure 2). The proposed corridor is located within the Federal or Military Facility Pinelands Management Area, where uses associated with the function of the federal installation
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement are permitted. Construction activities would be anticipated to commence in the winter of 2018, and continue for 10 months, pending specific construction windows imposed on the Proposed Action (Alternative 1). It is anticipated that the pipeline and associated easement would be in operation for an approximate 50 year lifespan. 2.3.1 Proposed Easement Corridor The proposed easement corridor would provide for a permanent ROW width of 10 feet once construction is complete that would allow NJNG to operate and maintain the proposed pipeline segment. During construction, the easement would provide for a construction area that includes the proposed easement and extends laterally to the extent possible, limited by existing features (e.g., JB MDL property lines, existing tree lines, environmental features, etc.). The construction area would be restricted in certain sections of the corridor to avoid identified constraints, and in areas where horizontal directional drilling (HDD) would be employed to minimize impacts to resources (e.g., forested areas). Table 2-1 provides a listing of the corridor sections and associated construction areas. Table 2-1 Proposed Pipeline Corridor Route
Corridor Section Description Construction Area · Easement begins at Pinehurst Road · One half of the paved (CR 539) on northern boundary of JB roadway to existing Entry Point MDL. tree line. · 30- to 40-foot wide construction corridor. · Corridor extends south inside JB MDL · One half of the paved boundary within the ROW of Pinehurst roadway to existing Road (CR 539). tree line. Pinehurst Road · Section bordered by forested areas on · Streams would be 0 – 2.3 miles both sides of Pinehurst Road. crossed by tunneling · This section intersects two mapped under existing culverts. streams. · 30- to 40-foot wide construction corridor. · Corridor extends southeast within the · One half of the paved ROW of Whiting-New Egypt Road (CR Whiting-New roadway to existing 539). Egypt Road tree line. · A New Jersey National Guard facility is 2.3 – 3.8 miles · 40- to 60-foot wide located east of the proposed pipeline construction corridor. centerline. · Corridor extends northeast within the ROW of South Boundary Road, a · Area extends from JB military base road. MDL property line to The Manchester Wildlife Management · existing tree line. South Boundary Area is located to the south of this · HDD techniques would Road portion of the route; however, the route be used to cross 3.8 – 6.5 miles remains within the military base beneath the streams. boundary and does not directly intersect · 40- to 60-foot wide the state land. construction corridor. · This section intersects four mapped streams.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-2 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Corridor Section Description Construction Area · Corridor extends northeast through a · Area extends from tree maintained lawn and cleared area, /water line into (but not outside of the road ROW, and adjacent across) existing JB Maintained lawn to a JB MDL aircraft taxiway. MDL aircraft taxiway. and cleared area · This section intersects two mapped · HDD techniques would 6.5 – 8 miles streams. be used to cross beneath the streams. · 35-foot wide construction corridor. · Corridor turns southeast outside of road ROW for 0.2 miles, intersecting a forested area. · Area extends from JB · New Jersey Department of MDL property line to Vegetated area Environmental Protection (NJDEP) existing tree line. 8 – 8.2 miles Landscape Project (Version 3.1) · 75- to 120-foot wide mapping and field studies identified construction corridor. threatened and endangered (T&E) species habitat along this portion of the alignment. · Corridor extends southeast within the · Area extends from tree ROW of Broome Road, a military base line to tree line, across road, for 2.2 miles. the existing road. · The Broome Road ROW is bordered by · Conventional bore Broome Road forested area and military facility areas, techniques would be 8.2 – 10.4 miles including cleared fields and paved used to cross beneath areas. the stream. · This section intersects one mapped · 30- to 50-foot wide stream. construction corridor. · Corridor extends southeast within the · A 20-foot wide ROW of Ridgeway Road/Lakehurst construction area End Point Whitesville Road at which point it would be cleared of crosses out of JB MDL boundary. trees to allow for HDD techniques.
2.3.2 Pipeline Construction The proposed pipeline segment would be constructed in full accordance with New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 14:7 and the federal regulations for the Transportation of Natural and Other Gas By Pipeline (49 CFR 192). The pipeline would be designed for Class 4 Location and to accommodate future in-line inspection devices, in accordance with the requirements for passage of internal inspection devices at 49 CFR 192.150. The proposed 30-inch pipeline segment meets the American Petroleum Institute specifications for seamless and welded steel pipe for pipeline transportation systems in the petroleum and natural gas industries. The American Petroleum Institute Grade of the pipe is American Petroleum Institute 5L X60, which has a minimum yield strength of 60,000 pounds per square inch (psi) and a minimum ultimate tensile strength of 75,000 psi. In addition, the exterior of the pipe would be coated with a two-layer anti-corrosion coating (PRITEC®) consisting of a butyl
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-3 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement rubber adhesive (10 millimeters thick) and a polyethylene top coat (50 millimeters thick). A cathodic protection system would also be installed to protect the pipeline from corrosion. Remotely controlled valves would be installed at off-road sites outside of the boundary of JB MDL, with three manually controlled valves installed within the JB MDL easement (see Figure 2). The proposed valves would be located in upland areas and outside of regulated areas. The footprint of each valve varies, depending on site conditions at each location; however each would have a nominal easement of 50 feet by 50 feet and would have a surface cover consisting of clean stone. As described in Section 2.3.1, the majority of the pipeline corridor within JB MDL occurs within existing road ROWs and avoids environmentally sensitive areas. For these areas, NJNG would utilize open-trench construction techniques, including stove-pipe and drag-section methods (or a combination thereof), within a limited workspace while minimizing impacts to the surrounding landscape. In environmentally sensitive areas, conventional bore or HDD would be used to install the pipeline segment to avoid disturbance that would otherwise occur with trenching methods (See Figure 2). Each of these construction techniques are described below: · Stove-Pipe Method – This method involves installing one joint (typically 40-foot lengths) of pipe at a time. The extent of open trench is limited to the amount of pipe to be installed in any given workday. All welding and coating activities, along with associated inspection, are performed near or within the open trench. At the end of each workday, the trench is backfilled and/or covered with steel plate(s). · Drag-Section Method – The drag-section method is similar to the stove-pipe method except that prefabricated section(s) of pipe containing several 40-foot-long pipe joints are placed into the trench during any given workday. At the end of each workday, the trench is backfilled and/or covered with steel plate(s). · Conventional Bore – A conventional bore installation involves the excavation of temporary bore pits (entry and receiving pits) on each side of the waterbody to be crossed. A boring machine is then lowered to the bottom of the bore entry pit and placed on supports. The machine augers a shaft and is advanced and retracted by hydraulic jacking to remove the borehole’s excavated materials. The excavated spoils are subsequently removed from the temporary bore pit. The spoils are stockpiled along the temporary workspace. The pipe is then pushed through the bored shaft behind the auger into the receiving pit. Following installation, the bore machine is removed and the bore pits are backfilled with suitable excavated material. · Horizontal Directional Drilling – HDD involves the use of specialized equipment to drill a horizontal hole beneath an area and then install the pipe section by pulling it through the hole. The HDD process uses a steerable cutting head to drill a small pilot hole along the desired profile between defined entry and exit points for the pipeline segment. The pipe string is pulled through the hole while a viscous drilling fluid, typically consisting of water and bentonite, is continuously pumped to the cutting head. The drilling fluid facilitates the removal of cuttings, stabilizes the drilled hole, cools the cutting head, and lubricates the carrier pipe during the pullback process. The drilling fluid is continuously processed through the drilling fluid cleaning system to remove cuttings and is then recycled. Drilling fluid that cannot be recycled because of the excessive build-up of ultrafine particles is transported off-site, to an approved location, for disposal. Construction of the pipeline segment may also include disturbance for site access, but this would generally occur within 50 feet of the pipeline. These activities may require temporary disturbance to previously disturbed, vegetated portions of the maintained roadside ROW and
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-4 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement minor roadside tree trimming. At completion of construction, these areas would be restored to pre-existing conditions and grade. No construction staging areas are planned to occur within JB MDL, as NJNG would generally use existing and available paved areas. The proposed pipeline would be installed with a minimum cover of 4 feet, resulting in a nominal trench depth of 7 feet for the majority of the pipeline. At locations where the pipeline crosses under existing utilities, trench excavation could be as deep as 10 to 13 feet, depending on the depth of the existing utility. The pipeline would be installed at a depth of between 17 to 20 feet in locations were HDD methods are utilized and approximately 10 feet when conventional bore is utilized. Equipment used during construction would include pickup trucks, welding rigs, mechanic rigs, boom trucks, water trucks, fuel trucks, lowboy trucks, flatbed trucks, backhoes and excavators, cranes, loaders and graders, bending machines, road boring machines, compressors, welding machines, generators, HDD drilling equipment and other miscellaneous equipment such as saws, trowel machines, and compactors. Construction activities would be anticipated to commence in the winter of 2018, pending specific construction windows imposed on the Proposed Action. Activities are anticipated to conclude after 10 months in duration. It is anticipated that approximately 40 to 50 personnel would be involved in daily construction of the pipeline over the 10 month period. In addition, it is anticipated that approximately 12 personnel would be involved in daily HDD activities over a 4 month period. It is anticipated that the pipeline and associated easement would be in operation for an approximate 50 year lifespan. 2.3.3 Sustainable Design, Construction, and Operational Best Management Practices The Proposed Action would incorporate the following measures to comply with the laws, regulations, EOs, instructions, and policies that apply to JB MDL: · A site-specific Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (SESC) Plan was submitted to the Ocean County Soil Conservation District (SCD) Office for review and was approved on November 25, 2015 (SCD# 17519). Construction would adhere to the approved plans, and any changes would be submitted to the Ocean County SCD prior to construction. A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) General Stormwater permit for construction dewatering (5G3) was obtained on July 15, 2016. · In the case of inadvertent discovery of prehistoric or historic artifacts during construction activities, all construction activities would cease, the site would be secured by the JB MDL Cultural Resource Manager, and notification would be made to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) or the New Jersey Pinelands Commission (NJPC) and federally recognized tribes as applicable as outlined in the base Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP) within 24 hours. · Prior to any activities involving digging, drilling, grading, or other subsurface disturbance activity, the construction team would initiate a Dig Permit at JB MDL (i.e., a Base Civil Engineering Work Clearance Request [Form Air Force (AF) IMT 103]). This process includes contacting New Jersey One-Call. · While not in a “sweep required” area, UXO could still be encountered. A pre- construction safety brief would be provided by the JB MDL Safety Office to the construction team outlining how to recognize UXO and the steps to follow. A UXO expert would be available during the times when construction activities are occurring. If UXO is discovered, all work would cease, workers would muster at an off-site location,
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-5 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
and the discovery would be handled appropriately by the UXO expert and reported immediately to the base Dispatch Office. · In the event of a hazardous material or petroleum spill at the site, the base Dispatch Office would be contacted immediately at 732-323-4000 in accordance with base spill- response policy. In addition, NJNG would require at least one trained person in each construction crew to have 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) training to ensure worker safety and health. · Prior to, during and following completion of Project construction, the USAF will continue to follow Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) guidance in its systematic approach for addressing PFCs, including but not limited to perfluorooctanoic sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), on JB MDL. · If NJNG encounters PFC-contaminated groundwater during construction, work would stop to assess the situation. If dewatering is required to complete construction, NJDEP and JB MDL would be consulted on potential treatment requirements. · Prior to each day’s use, equipment would be inspected for hydraulic and fuel leaks. If leaks are detected, clean up and repair would be performed. · All construction equipment would comply with the 3-minute idling limit pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:27-14 and N.J.A.C. 7:27-15. All non-road diesel equipment would comply with the federal Clean Air Non-Road Diesel Rule, which regulates emissions from non- road diesel engines and sulfur content in non-road diesel fuel. · Dust suppression would be used during construction activities to reduce air pollution. Recommended methods include application of water, soil stabilizers, or vegetation; use of wind break enclosures; use of covers on soil stockpiles and dump truck loads; use of silt fences; and suspension of earth-movement activities during high-wind conditions (gusts exceeding 25 miles per hour). · NJNG would have a Natural Resources Specialist(s) that would monitor the site daily during land clearing operations and pipeline installation for the presence of special status species, particularly the Northern Pine Snake (state-threatened) and Corn Snake (state-endangered). If any are discovered, construction personnel would stop work and contact the JB MDL Natural Resources Manager. · After construction, disturbed areas would be restored and planted with native grasses (mix that meets the New Jersey standards for erosion control and approved by the Ocean County SCD) to minimize erosion and restore grassland habitat. · Seasonal restrictions on tree removal would be in place from March 15 to October 31 as a measure to protect the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis - federally threatened) and migratory birds. This seasonal restriction would coincide with the northern long-eared bat tree-roosting season (April 1 - October 31) and the migratory bird tree-nesting season (March 15 - August 31). No tree removal would occur between March 15 and October 31. Trees would only be removed between November 1 and March 14. 2.3.4 Pipeline Operation and Maintenance The proposed pipeline segment would have a maximum allowable operating pressure of 722 pounds per square inch gauge (psig), an equivalent maximum allowable operating pressure to that of NJNG's existing transmission system. Prior to commencing operation, the proposed
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-6 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement pipeline segment would be subjected to 100 percent nondestructive testing on all welds and a minimum of 1,500 psig of hydrostatic test pressure for 24 hours. As part of this test, the pipe would be subjected to a strength test pressure of approximately 1,800 psig for no greater than 1 hour, intended to produce 90 percent of its Specified Minimum Yield Strength. In accordance with NJNG’s Transmission Integrity Management Plan (see Appendix B) and to ensure safety and reliability, NJNG would monitor the pipeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in their natural gas control room located in Wall, New Jersey. NJNG would maintain the ability to operate all remotely controlled valves installed along the proposed pipeline segment from this location and, if necessary, shut down the flow of natural gas in the system. NJNG is required to have effective Emergency Response and Operating and Maintenance Procedures in place for their natural gas systems. These procedures and plans are continually reviewed and revised so they stay current and to ensure that state, county, and local emergency management personnel are familiar with the systems. The proposed pipeline segment would be incorporated into NJNG plans and procedures, and NJNG would work closely with JB MDL, emergency responders, and local officials to ensure safety and to prevent and prepare for emergencies related to the proposed pipeline segment. In accordance with 49 CFR 192.901 through 192.951 (Subpart O), NJNG has an Integrity Management Program in place for its pipeline systems. As part of this program, NJNG would conduct a leak survey of the proposed pipeline segment every year, and perform physical inspections of the corridor each month. NJNG would also regularly inspect the pipeline’s cathodic protection system. In-line inspections would also be periodically conducted to assess the pipeline’s integrity from the inside out. In addition, JB MDL would coordinate any excavation that is proposed in the vicinity of the pipeline segment with NJNG, so that NJNG personnel can be on-site to monitor any activity as necessary to protect the integrity of the pipeline. NJNG would coordinate with JB MDL, prior to conducting any maintenance activities that would involve land disturbing activities. Such activities would be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the construction activities described in Section 2.3.2 and best management practices (BMPs) described in Section 2.3.3.
2.4 Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative As required under NEPA, CEQ Regulations, and 32 CFR 989, the No Action Alternative (Alternative 2) is retained in this EA for comparative analysis. Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. This alternative would not result in direct, indirect, or cumulative effects on land use, airspace, air quality, geology, topography and soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, energy and infrastructure, materials and waste, traffic, noise, socioeconomic conditions, or health and safety. However, this alternative would not meet the stated purpose and need of the Proposed Action.
2.5 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Study As part of the alternative development process described in Section 2.2, the USAF considered two additional areas for potential alternative corridor locations for the Proposed Action. Table 2- 2 provides a brief description of these alternatives and the reasons the USAF eliminated them from further consideration.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-7 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Table 2-2 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration
Alternative Reasons for Elimination Cookstown Road/Wrightstown Potential corridor locations did not meet USAF criteria for Road - This alternative ensuring compatibility with JB MDL mission: considered an entrance point for · The area contains a majority of the structures on the the easement corridor in base, including aircraft hangars, hazardous materials proximity to the JB MDL Route storage areas, an industrial waste containment facility, 68 gate near Wrightstown, jet engine fuel storage tanks, and munitions storage. traversing across the base · Corridors would be constrained by a 24-square-mile toward the Lakehurst portion of military range area, which includes numerous live-fire JB MDL, and exiting the southern ranges, in the portion of JB MDL between Pointville boundary of JB MDL at CR 539. and CR 539 (Pinehurst Road). · Corridors would impact the operation of JB MDL Airfield, which is actively used for military operations. · Corridors would be near a high concentration of military housing units located to the south and north of CR 616 near Cookstown. Potential corridor locations did not meet USAF criteria for minimizing direct or indirect adverse effects to natural resource wildlife habitat, wetlands, or floodplains:
· Roadways that extend from west to east through the military range area are bordered by live-fire ranges and environmental features, including forested areas, wetlands, waters, and protected wildlife habitat. Any corridor option that would traverse this area would likely result in direct adverse effects to protected resources and necessitate greater than 0.5 acre of tree clearing in regulated areas. · Construction of the proposed pipeline segment would not be permitted within the Preservation Area District or Forest Area Pinelands Management Areas according to the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan.
CR 539 and State Route 70 - Potential corridor locations did not meet USAF criteria for This alternative would follow CR minimizing direct or indirect adverse effects to natural 539 and State Route 70. resource wildlife habitat, wetlands, or floodplains. Construction of a pipeline in these locations would not be in conformance with the Pineland Comprehensive Management Plan.
2.6 New Jersey Natural Gas SRL Project NJNG is a public utility that supplies natural gas to more than 510,000 customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, as well as portions of Burlington, Middlesex, and Morris Counties. In recent years, increases in customer demand and extreme weather events have led NJNG to evaluate their system. These evaluations have identified system vulnerabilities, especially in its Ocean County area, which includes JB MDL. In response to the increased need for reliable and safe service, NJNG is proposing the SRL Project. The SRL Project is a major secondary
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-8 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement natural gas feed into the southern side of the NJNG transmission system supplying Monmouth and Ocean Counties. This new feed would require the construction of a new 30-inch natural gas transmission pipeline between specific supply and connection points in Burlington County and Ocean County, which includes areas within JB MDL as described in Section 2.3. To accomplish the SRL Project goals, NJNG conducted a siting study to identify an alignment that would result in the least amount of impact to the built and natural environments, while satisfying the need to construct the new natural gas transmission line between Burlington County and Ocean County. The methodology identified major constraints in the general study area and used a quantitative and qualitative evaluation process to generate and compare alternative routes. The goal of the study was to select a route that avoids or minimizes adverse impacts to the natural, cultural, and social environments to the maximum extent practical, while still maintaining the economic viability and technical feasibility. NJNG used the methodology to identify alternative SRL Project routes that connect specific supply and connection points in Burlington and Ocean Counties. The evaluation was conducted from three primary perspectives: a) protection of the built environment, b) protection of the natural environment, and c) engineering considerations. The quantitative evaluation was supplemented by qualitative assessments and reviewed by a team of technical experts. Five alternative routes were identified for the first section of the SRL Project, and four alternative routes were identified in the second section, which included potential routes through JB MDL. The results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses conducted for this siting study identified NJNG’s preferred route for the SRL Project, and preferred entry and exit points for the portion of the pipeline that would traverse JB MDL as described in Section 2.3. NJNG followed the permitting processes required by New Jersey regulations. A pre-application conference was held for the SRL Project on February 19, 2015 at NJDEP offices in Trenton, New Jersey. Representatives from NJDEP Division of Land Use Regulation, the SHPO, Division of Fish & Wildlife, Division of Water Quality, NJNG, and AECOM were in attendance. An application for a Freshwater Wetlands General Permit #2, Flood Hazard Area Individual Permit, and Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) Individual Permit was submitted to NJDEP on June 26, 2015 (LURP No. 0000-15-0007.1). On February 24, 2017, the NJDEP granted NJNG a CAFRA Individual Permit, Freshwater Wetlands General Permit #2, and Water Quality Certificate for the portion of the proposed SRL natural gas transmission pipeline located within CAFRA jurisdiction. All work associated with the proposed SRL project would be conducted under the authority of these approved permits and the conditions set forth by the governing agencies. NJNG has also filed a request for approval with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) in March 2015 with amendments filed in June 2015. Coordination with the NJBPU is now complete with approval being issued in January and March 2016. All pipeline safety regulations administered by the NJBPU (Reliability and Security Division; Pipeline Safety Department) would be adhered to for the SRL Project. As portions of the SRL Project would traverse the New Jersey Pinelands Area, the Project would be subject to the NJPC Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) regulations. Coordination meetings and pre-application conferences were held with NJPC for this Project on October 14, 2014 and December 2, 2014. An initial filing of a Development Application Form was submitted for the proposed SRL Project by NJNG for approval with the NJPC in April 2015 (Certificate of Filing #2014-0045.001) with supplemental information provided on May 4, 2015. A Certificate of Filing was issued by the NJPC on December 9, 2015. Coordination with the NJPC is ongoing.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 2-9 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
3.1 General Overview This chapter provides current baseline environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions where the proposed easement crosses JB MDL. The potential direct and indirect effects of the Proposed Action and alternatives on each of the resources are addressed in Chapter 4. Cumulative effects are discussed in Chapter 5. The affected environment generally includes JB MDL and the surrounding areas, and environmental resources within potential construction areas. JB MDL considered up to a 120- foot-wide corridor centered on the proposed pipeline segment on JB MDL to identify resources that could potentially be affected by construction. 3.1.1 Project Location The Project Study Area (PSA) is located within Ocean County, New Jersey, in the east-central part of the state. The PSA is approximately 45 miles east of Philadelphia; 65 miles south of New York City; 50 miles south of Newark, New Jersey; and 10 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. The general location of the PSA is presented in Figure 3. The PSA is 10.44 miles long and includes approximately 50 feet on both sides of the center-line of the proposed pipeline segment within JB MDL. In areas where property boundaries occur at a distance less than 50 feet from the proposed centerline, the PSA is limited by the property boundary. The PSA extends south along CR 539, and east through JB MDL in Ocean County, New Jersey. The proposed easement would run along South Boundary Road, potentially using a portion of Pine Barrens Road as a laydown area, continuing along Taxiway 4, continuing along Broome Road, following the property boundary to Patrol Road, continuing along Patrol Road, then through forested land to CR 547. JB MDL is located within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, also referred to as the Pinelands. This reserve consists of approximately 1.1 million acres in southern New Jersey, and is managed by the NJPC. The New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve includes portions of seven counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean. 3.1.2 Resource Areas Not Carried Forward for Detailed Analysis 3.1.2.1 Airspace The airspace above and around JB MDL is identified as an alert area, which notifies pilots of high-density military aircraft operations within a specified area. An alert area does not restrict aircraft from entering the airspace. However, there is restricted airspace associated with Dix ranges to the west of Pinehurst Road and the proposed easement corridor. The restricted airspace extends to approximately 8,000 feet above mean sea level. The proposed easement would result in no adverse airspace impacts as the proposed pipeline segment would be installed below ground, away from airspace uses. All aboveground facilities (fencing, etc.) would be less than 25 feet in height and would not encroach into JB MDL airspace. As the Proposed Action does not include the use and/or alteration of airspace, the resource area “Airspace” has been dismissed from detailed analyses within this EA. 3.1.2.2 Environmental Justice The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) defines Environmental Justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Pursuant to EO 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 CFR 7629 (February 16, 1994), and as defined by the Environmental Justice Guidance under NEPA (CEQ, 1997), “minority populations” include persons who identify themselves as Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American or Alaskan Native, Black (not of Hispanic origin), or Hispanic. Race refers to census respondents’ self-identification of racial background. Hispanic origin refers to ethnicity and language, not race, and may include persons whose heritage is Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, and Central or South American. Based on the CEQ guidance, a minority population may exist where either: · Minority population in the affected area exceeds 50 percent; or · Minority population of the affected area is “meaningfully greater” than the minority composition of the general population. Low-income populations should be identified in an affected area with the annual statistical poverty thresholds from the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau defines an individual as being below the poverty level if that individual’s income, or family’s total income, is below a pre-defined threshold. The poverty threshold is determined yearly by multiplying the 1982 base-year threshold by a monthly inflation factor based on the current Consumer Price Index (U.S. Census Bureau 2016a). No minority or low income populations are located within or along the proposed pipeline segment on JB MDL. EO 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Death Risks and Safety Risks, applies to economically significant rules that concern an environmental health or safety risk that the USEPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children (USEPA, 1998). In addition, the USEPA has established the principle that all USEPA risk assessments, risk characterizations, and environmental and public health standards will evaluate health risks to infants and children. No schools, daycare centers or other children’s centers are located within the proposed pipeline easement on JB MDL. As the proposed action does not include the impact of minority populations, low income populations or children, the resource area “Environmental Justice” has been dismissed from detailed analyses within this EA.
3.2 Land Use The PSA primarily follows existing paved roadways and sand/gravel roads. The PSA would deviate from existing paved roadways at the following locations: · At the valve site location off of Whiting-New Egypt Road/CR 539 for 110 feet; · Along ROW of South Boundary Road directly off of CR 539 for 580 feet; · Along Taxiway 4, the vegetated area between maintained lawn and cleared area, and Broome Road for 370 feet; · Along existing clearing within forested area off of Broome Road for 1,360 feet; and · Along unpaved ROW of Lakehurst Whitesville Road at which point the PSA crosses out of the JB MDL boundary. Land cover types identified along the PSA include previously disturbed urban areas such as roadways, Taxiway 4, and areas associated with JB MDL; maintained roadside ROW, forested wetlands, mixed deciduous/coniferous upland forest, and freshwater wetlands. Existing utilities
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-2 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement are located within the PSA; however, no structures associated with JB MDL occur within the PSA. 3.2.1 Zoning and Land Use Plans The NJPC issues two types of standard approvals for development projects proposed within the New Jersey Pinelands: Certificate of Filing and Public Development Approval. To obtain either of these approvals, proposed activities must meet the Land Use (Subchapter 5) and Development Standards (Subchapter 6) of the NJPC CMP at N.J.A.C. 7:50. Within the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), natural gas transmission lines are included in the use of the term “Public Service Infrastructure.” The term is defined at N.J.A.C. 7:50 -2.11 as “sewer service, gas, electricity, water, telephone, cable television and other public utilities developed linearly, roads and streets and other similar services provided or maintained by any public or private entity.” The boundary of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve (illustrated in Figure 4) is divided into two sections: a Protection Area and a Preservation Area. Specific resource areas are further classified into distinct Management Areas, each with their own development criteria, as described in the CMP. The proposed easement would be within JB MDL, which is zoned as a “Military and Federal Installation Area Pinelands Management Area” (see Figure 4). These are federal enclaves within the New Jersey Pinelands, permitted for uses associated with function of the installation or other public purpose uses. Natural gas transmission/distribution (Public Service Infrastructure) use is conditionally permitted if it is associated with the function of the federal installation, or is sanctioned by the installation and undertaken for public use on behalf of another level of government. 3.2.2 Land Uses Surrounding the Proposed Action The majority of the active land uses surrounding the proposed easement include military facilities and operations, and large expanses of publicly owned forest. The closest civilian residences to the proposed easement are located approximately 0.1 mile south of the easement in Lakehurst Borough. These homes are separated from the proposed easement by undeveloped forest. 3.2.3 Wilderness Areas In 1964, the U.S. Congress passed the Wilderness Act designating 54 areas, representing 9.1 million acres, in 13 states as wilderness. This federal law established these areas as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). The NWPS currently encompasses 109.5 million acres of federally owned land in 44 states and Puerto Rico. There are no areas designated under the NWPS (NWPS, 2016) in the PSA. 3.2.4 National, State, and County Park Lands No national or county park lands are located within the PSA. The nearest state-owned park lands are the Manchester Wildlife Management Area and the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, both located outside of the JB MDL property boundary, as shown in Figure 5. The Manchester Wildlife Management Area is adjacent to the JB MDL along the southeast section, while the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area is adjacent to the northern boundary of JB MDL.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-3 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
3.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases 3.3.1 Ambient Air Quality Ambient air quality in an area can be characterized in terms of whether or not it complies with the primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the USEPA to set NAAQS for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. NAAQS are provided for six principal pollutants, called criteria pollutants (as listed under Section 108 of the CAA): · Carbon monoxide (CO) · Lead
· Nitrogen dioxides (NO2)
· Ozone (O3) · Particulate matter (PM), divided into two size classes:
o Aerodynamic size less than or equal to 10 micrometers (PM10)
o Aerodynamic size less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5)
· Sulfur dioxide (SO2) The NAAQS are subject to periodic review and revised or new standards are promulgated over time. Table 3-1 presents a summary of the NAAQS in place at the time this EA was prepared. Table 3-1 National and State Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAAQS Pollutant Averaging Period Primary Secondary Annual 9,11 0.03 ppm -- 24-hour 2,9 0.14 ppm -- Sulfur Dioxide 3-hour 2 -- 0.5 ppm 1-hour 1 0.075 ppm -- 3 3 PM10 24-hour 150 mg/m same Annual 4 12 mg/m3 15 mg/m3 PM2.5 24-hour 5 35 mg/m3 same Annual 11 0.053 ppm same Nitrogen Dioxide 1-hour 6 0.100 ppm none 8-hour 2 9 ppm none Carbon Monoxide 1-hour 2 35 ppm none Ozone 8-hour 7,8 0.070 ppm same Quarterly Average 1.5mg/m3 same Lead Rolling 3-month average 10 (2008) 0.15mg/m3 same
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-4 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Source: USEPA, 2016a ppm = parts per million, μg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter 1 To attain this (2010) standard, the 3-year average of the 99th percentile of the daily maximum 1-hour average at each monitor within an area must not exceed 75 parts per billion (ppb). 2 Not to be exceeded more than once per year. 3 Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over 3 years. 4 Annual mean, averaged over three years. 5 To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations at each population-oriented monitor within an area must not exceed 35 µg/m3 (effective December 17, 2006). 6 To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations at each monitor within an area must not exceed 0.100 ppm. 7 To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average concentrations at each monitor within an area must not exceed 0.070 ppm. 8 Final rule signed October 1, 2015, and effective December 28, 2015. The previous (2008) Ozone standards additionally remain in effect in some areas. Revocation of the previous (2008) Ozone standards and transitioning to the current (2015) standards will be addressed in the implementation rule for the current standards. 9 The 1971 Annual and 24-hour Sulfur dioxide standards were revoked per June 2, 2010 rule but are in effect until one year after final attainment designations are in place for 1-hour Sulfur dioxide NAAQS. 10 Current Lead standard was assigned October 15, 2008. The 1978 Lead standard (1.5 µg/m 3 as a quarterly average) remains in effect until one year after an area is designated for the 2008 standard, except that in areas designated non-attainment for the 1978, the 1978 standard remains in effect until implementation plans to attain or maintain the 2008 standard are approved. 11 Not to be exceeded.
New Jersey has the primary responsibility for air pollution prevention and control. The CAA requires each state to promulgate a State Implementation Plan (SIP) that provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the NAAQS in each Air Quality Control Region in the state. In addition, the CAA allows states to adopt air quality standards more stringent than the federal standards. Regions that comply with the standards are designated as attainment areas. In areas where the applicable NAAQS are not being met, a non-attainment status is designated (USEPA, 2007). New Jersey’s location along the northeast corridor between the major metropolitan centers of Boston and Washington, D.C., places New Jersey at the epicenter of pollutants transported from other states. In addition, westerly winds from the Ohio River Valley and nighttime reservoirs of pollutants from southern states along the Appalachian Mountain Range have been shown to contribute to high ozone and fine particulate concentrations in New Jersey (NJDEP, 2010). Currently, the entire state of New Jersey does not meet the NAAQS for ozone and is classified as moderate non-attainment for ozone; the 8-hour ozone average concentration is 0.116 ppm. Atmospheric ozone occurs when nitrogen oxides (NOx), CO, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight (a photochemical reaction). NOx and VOCs are called ozone precursors. Motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents are the major anthropogenic sources of these chemicals. Although these precursors often originate in urban areas, winds can carry NOx hundreds of miles, causing ozone formation to occur in less populated regions as well. Therefore, VOCs and NOx emissions are regulated as a means of controlling ozone production. The October 29, 2007 SIP established general conformity budgets for McGuire Air Force Base and Lakehurst for VOCs and NOx. These budgets were established by USEPA under 40 CFR 52.1582(m)(5) to provide the bases the operational flexibility to meet their current and future
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-5 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement missions. The general conformity budget for Lakehurst is 129 tons per year (tpy) of VOCs and 793 tpy of NOx. The budget for McGuire Air Force Base is 703 tpy of VOCs and 1,534 tpy of NOx (NJDEP, 2007). There is no specific SIP budget for the Fort Dix area. The nearest receptor to the proposed easement is Alba’s Restaurant/Tipperary Pub located at 2313 Route 547, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 08733. This receptor is approximately 35 feet from the proposed easement and adjacent to where the proposed pipeline corridor would exit JB MDL. The closest residential receptor is in Lakehurst Borough approximately 1,000 feet from JB MDL, and separated from the PSA by a wooded area. The closest Class 1 Area to the proposed easement is the Brigantine Wilderness Area, which is approximately 50.2 kilometers (km) (31.2 miles) to the south of the closest section of pipeline construction (at the corner of Whiting-New Egypt Road [Route 539] and South Boundary Road). The Brigantine Wilderness Area is located in southern New Jersey on the Atlantic Coast, about 11 miles north of Atlantic City (USFWS, 2012). The 6,600 acre wilderness area, located within the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, comprises four areas: the Holgate Peninsula, Little Beach Island and the marshes west of the island, and two areas near the mouth of the Mullica River. Habitat includes primarily salt marsh, beach, and dune, with a small area of hardwood upland on Little Beach Island. 3.3.2 General Conformity Rule The CAA contains legislation that mandates the General Conformity rule to ensure that federal actions in non-attainment and maintenance areas do not interfere with a state’s timely attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. The General Conformity rule divides the air conformity process into two parts: applicability analysis and conformity determination. The applicability analysis process requires federal agencies to determine if Proposed Action(s) would increase emissions of criteria pollutants above preset threshold levels (40 CFR 93.153). The applicability thresholds vary depending on the severity of the non-attainment area. De minimis emissions are total direct and indirect emissions of a criteria pollutant caused by a federal action in a non-attainment or maintenance area at rates less than the specified applicability thresholds. 3.3.3 Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere help regulate the temperature of the planet by trapping solar heat. When solar radiation (sunlight) reaches the earth, part is reflected back into space, and approximately half is absorbed by the earth’s surface and then re-emitted as infrared radiation. The most common greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), O3, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons. These gases are naturally-occurring in the atmosphere but are also pollutant by-products of human activities, including burning fossil fuels. After water vapor, CO2 is the most abundant greenhouse gas and could remain in the atmosphere for centuries. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have risen as a result of increases in greenhouse gas emissions that have occurred since the onset of the Industrial Revolution (circa 1750).
Global greenhouse gas emissions equaled 45,451 million metric tons CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq) in 2011 (World Resources Institute, 2014). Human activities from all sectors of the economy emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Notably, energy generation, transportation, and industrial and agricultural activities release CO2, CH4, N2O, O3 and chlorofluorocarbons. The presence of higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and observed changes in the earth’s temperature resulted in the current concerns regarding global climate change.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-6 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
3.3.4 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule In 2009, the USEPA issued the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, which established annual reporting requirements from large sources and suppliers in the United States (40 CFR 98, Subpart W). The Rule applies to petroleum and natural gas systems (Subpart W) and suppliers of natural gas (Subpart NN). The Rule requires the source to report under Subpart W if it emits 25,000 metric tons of CO2-eq or more per year. 3.3.5 Climate Change Scientific research has linked increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a range of ongoing and potential changes in global climate, including rising surface temperatures, changes in snow and ice cover, rising sea levels, changes in precipitation regimes and a possible increase in extreme weather events. The USEPA reports the average temperatures in New Jersey have risen by about three degrees (Fahrenheit) in the last century, heavy rainstorms are more frequent, and the sea is rising about 1 inch every 6 years (USEPA, 2016b). The increase in temperatures will melt snow earlier in spring and increase evaporation, causing soils to dry during summer and fall. Average annual precipitation in New Jersey has increased 5 to 10 percent in the last century, and precipitation from extremely heavy storms has increased 70 percent in the Northeast since 1958 (USEPA, 2016b). The USEPA reports that within New Jersey, annual precipitation and the frequency of heavy downpours are likely to keep rising over the next century with precipitation likely to increase during winter and spring (USEPA, 2016b). These climatic changes are likely to intensify river flooding during winter and spring, and drought and increased wildfire potential during summer and fall.
3.4 Geology, Topography, and Soils The state of New Jersey is divided into several physical geographic regions known as physiographic provinces, which are defined by unique geology, soil types, topographic expression, and landforms. The PSA is contained entirely within the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province (New Jersey Geological Survey [NJGS], 2003). The general landscape of the Coastal Plain, shown in Figure 6, is generally flat to very gently undulating, comprised of sequences of quartz sand mixed with clay and glauconitic sands (NJGS, 2003). Erosion- resistant gravel or iron-cemented sediment underlies upland areas and isolated hills. Table 3-2 and Figure 7 present the principle rock formations that occur within the PSA.
Table 3-2 Geologic Formations within the Project Study Area
Geologic Feature Name Lithology
Cohansey Formation quartz sand, medium- to coarse-grained
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Soil Series Geographic Database for Ocean County, soils within the PSA range from very poorly drained to excessively drained (USDA/NRCS, 2013). Table 3-3 lists the soil series mapped within the PSA and includes the soil’s drainage class and farmland classification. Unique farmland is a class of soil that can be used for production of specific high- value food and fiber crops, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA/NRCS 2012). Farmland that is of statewide importance is a class of soil that can be used for the production of
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-7 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement food, feed, fiber, forage, or oilseed crops, as determined by the appropriate State or unit of local government agency or agencies, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Per the Farmland Protection Policy Act, classification of soil as unique or of state-wide importance does not imply that those soils are currently being used for cropland; it can be forest land, pastureland, cropland or other land, but not water or urban built-up land (USDA/NRCS, 2017). No actively farmed land exists on JB MDL.
Table 3-3 Soil Series within the Project Study Area
Series ID Series Name Drainage Class Farmland Designation Atsion sand, 0 to 2 percent AtsA Poorly drained Unique slopes Berryland sand, 0 to 2 percent BerAt Very poorly drained Unique slopes, frequently flooded Downer loamy sand, 0 to 5 DocB Well drained Statewide Important percent slopes Evesboro sand, 0 to 5 percent EveB Excessively drained None slopes Lakehurst sand, 0 to 5 percent Moderately well LakB None slopes drained Lakehurst sand, clayey Moderately well LakkB substratum, 0 to 5 percent None drained slopes Lakewood sand, 0 to 5 LasB Excessively drained None percent slopes Lakewood sand, 5 to 10 LasC Excessively drained None percent slopes Manahawkin muck, 0 to 2 MakAt percent slopes, frequently Very poorly drained Unique flooded Psamments, 0 to 3 percent PssA Well drained None slopes Psammaquents, sulfidic PstAt substratum, 0 to 3 percent Very poorly drained None slopes, frequently flooded UR Urban land None None Source: USDA/NRCS, 2013; 2016, 2016a, 2016b
Figure 8 illustrates these soils with their USDA/NRCS rating of hydric capacity. Hydric soils are an indicator of wetland areas. Figure 9 illustrates the Coastal Plain Sediments with the Potential to Form Acidic (Sulfate) Soils. Acidic soils are typically found in small pockets at different depths and require additional considerations during construction. During excavation, acidic soils would be separated from topsoil and stored in a windrow parallel to the pipeline trench in such a manner that it would not become intermixed with topsoil material. Following installation of the pipeline, acidic soils would be backfilled to within 1-foot of the surface.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-8 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
A Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (SESC) Plan is a site-specific plan consisting of drawings that identify BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation before, during, and after earth disturbance activities. In New Jersey, a SCD-certified SESC Plan is required for a project when earth disturbance activities would result in the disturbance of more than 5,000 square feet of the surface area of land to be utilized. Construction and restoration of the construction areas would be conducted in accordance with the Ocean County SCD approved SESC Plan (SCD# 17519, certification date: November 25, 2015). PFC soil contamination, including but not limited to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), has recently been delineated and is limited to approximately 500-feet north of the PSA. The proposed SRL Project would not be constructed within PFC contaminated soil.
3.5 Water Resources 3.5.1 Regulatory Framework Water resources at JB MDL are regulated under Sections 401 (33 USC 1341) and 404 (33 USC 1344) of the federal Clean Water Act under the jurisdiction of the NJDEP. NJDEP has the primary responsibility for protecting New Jersey’s surface water and groundwater from pollution caused by improperly treated wastewater and its residuals, as well as destruction of watersheds from development. 3.5.2 Surface Water Resources Surface water resources mapped within the region of JB MDL include freshwater streams, rivers, floodplains, open water (ponds and lakes), and wetlands. The information presented in this section is based upon data from the NJDEP and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (NJDEP, 2009; USGS, 1971). The NJDEP divides the state into 20 Watershed Management Areas (WMAs). Table 3-4 lists the two WMAs traversed by the proposed easement.
Table 3-4 Watershed Management Areas within the Project Study Area
WMA Number Name of Watershed Management Area
13 Barnegat Bay
19 Rancocas
3.5.3 Streams and Rivers Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) are developed by NJDEP pursuant to the New Jersey Water Quality Planning Act, New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) 58:11A et. seq. and the New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10A et. seq. Water quality criteria are developed for both fresh and saline waters for individual pollutants to protect aquatic life (i.e., plants and animals that live and reproduce in water) and human health. Criteria are developed to protect water quality for designated uses, including survival, growth and reproduction of aquatic life, and drinking water and fish consumption for human health protection. Uses identified include drinking water supply, fish consumption, shellfish resources, propagation of fish and wildlife, recreation, and agricultural and industrial water supplies.
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These uses are designated for a particular waterbody through the assignment of surface water classifications. Surface waters classified as FW1 are not subject to any human-produced wastewater discharges; they are designated as set aside for posterity to represent the natural aquatic environment and associated biota. Additional designated uses for FW1 waters include primary and secondary contact recreation; maintenance, migration and propagation of aquatic biota, as well as any other reasonable uses. All other freshwaters are considered FW2 waters. Designated uses for FW2 waters include maintenance, migration, and propagation of aquatic biota; primary and secondary contact recreation; industrial and agricultural water supply; public water supply; and any other reasonable uses. Freshwaters are further classified based on their ability to support trout: trout production (FW2-TP), trout maintenance (FW2-TM), or non-trout (FW2-NT). Additionally, there are three levels of anti-degradation designations: Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW), which include waters within the New Jersey Pinelands (classified as “PL” waters), as well as FW1 waters. The other anti-degradation categories are Category One waters and Category Two waters. All waters of the state are classified and assigned with one of the three anti-degradation designations. Category One waters are protected from "measurable or calculable changes" in water quality; this classification is frequently applied to waters flowing through parks, wildlife refuges and to FW2-TP streams (NJDEP 2010). Waterways in the PSA are designated as ONRW and are classified as PL waters. They are maintained in their natural state, and changes are allowed only toward natural water quality. Major streams and lakes shown on USGS topographic maps that are present in the PSA are illustrated in Figure 10. In addition to SWQS, NJDEP has implemented riparian zone protection standards within the Flood Hazard Area Control Act rules (N.J.A.C. 7:13). These rules require riparian zones that are 50, 150, or 300 feet in width along each side of surface waters throughout the state. The riparian zone width depends on the environmental resources being protected, with the most protective 300-foot riparian zone applicable to waters designated as Category One and certain upstream tributaries. Certain waters supporting trout or habitats of threatened or endangered species critically dependent on the watercourse to survive receive a 150-foot riparian zone. Table 3-5 shows the major rivers and streams located within the PSA.
Table 3-5 Waters within the Project Study Area
Waterway SWQS Municipality County Subwatershed¹ Name Classification
Jumping Brook Stream P01 Plumsted Twp Ocean ONRW (Monmouth Co) Gaunts Brook/ Stream P02 Plumsted Twp Ocean Hartshorne Mill ONRW Stream Blacks Branch (above Stream P03 Jackson Twp Ocean ONRW 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch (above Stream P04 Jackson Twp Ocean ONRW 74d22m05s)
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-10 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Waterway SWQS Municipality County Subwatershed¹ Name Classification
Blacks Branch (above Stream P05 Jackson Twp Ocean ONRW 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch (above Stream P06 Jackson Twp Ocean ONRW 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch (above Stream P07 Jackson Twp Ocean ONRW 74d22m05s) Stream P08 Jackson Twp Ocean Manapaqua Brook ONRW
Stream P09 Jackson Twp Ocean Manapaqua Brook ONRW
Stream P10 Manchester Twp Ocean Manapaqua Brook ONRW Notes: 1 Subwatersheds based on the NJDEP Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC)-14 Boundaries ONRW = Outstanding National Resource Waters as defined in N.J.A.C. 7:9B
3.5.4 Wild and Scenic Rivers No federally designated wild and scenic rivers are located within the PSA (National Park Service [NPS], 2016). 3.5.5 100-Year Floodplains Areas adjacent to streams and rivers that would be inundated by a flood elevation that has a 1 percent annual chance of being equaled or exceeded are designated as 100-year floodplains. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delineates the extent of 100-year floodplains for larger rivers and streams on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and in geographic information system (GIS) format. Under the New Jersey Flood Hazard Areas program, NJDEP also maps the floodplains within the state. The FEMA floodplain areas are mapped as Special Flood Hazard Areas and are further classified based on risk of flooding. A designation of Zone A or AE signifies that the area is subject to inundation by the 100-year flood. Areas designated as Zone X are subject to moderate or minimal hazards from principal sources, while Zone X500 are areas within the 100- and 500-year flood zones. Figure 11 illustrates the 100-year floodplain boundaries acquired from FEMA datasets. However, FEMA has not conducted a Flood Insurance Study at JB MDL; thus, not all potential floodplain areas have been evaluated in the information presented. Most of the major streams and rivers listed in Table 3-5 possess associated 100-year floodplains. The 100-year floodplains associated with all rivers, streams, and tributaries with drainage basins greater than 50 acres are regulated by the NJDEP, but not all of these floodplains have been mapped by NJDEP. 3.5.6 Wetlands During delineation efforts performed and completed in November 2014 to January 2015, vegetation, soil characteristics, and hydrology were documented and evaluated for evidence of wetland conditions. Wetland and upland data points were established to confirm the
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-11 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement wetland/upland boundaries, conditions and unique vegetative communities. Information for each data point was documented using the United States Army Corps of Engineers Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region Wetland Determination Data Forms. In accordance with the Cowardin Wetland Classification System (Cowardin, et al., 1979), wetlands were classified based on dominant plant community or mix of communities or wetland complexes (e.g., palustrine forested [PFO], palustrine scrub shrub [PSS], palustrine unconsolidated bottom [PUB], and palustrine emergent [PEM]). Each wetland boundary and data point was marked with sequentially numbered flags during the delineation. Table 3-6 presents the wetlands identified within the PSA.
Table 3-6 Wetlands within the Project Study Area
Delineated Area Within Project Study Wetland Wetland Name Subwatershed1 Area Classification (Sq. Feet) Blacks Branch Wetland 1 2350.27 PSS/PUB (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 2 1162.24 PSS (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 3 5774.59 PSS (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 4 1771.27 PFO (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 5 450.23 PFO (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 6 1734.16 PFO (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 7 2173.49 PFO/PUB (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 8 8568.02 PSS/PUB (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 9 1198.75 PFO (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 10 4255.15 PSS/PUB (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 11 1099.27 PSS (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 12 191.17 PFO/PUB (above 74d22m05s) Blacks Branch Wetland 13 19176.24 PFO/PSS (above 74d22m05s) Wetland 14 27595.65 PUB/PSS/PFO Manapaqua Brook
Wetland 15 3521.00 PFO Manapaqua Brook
Wetland 16 1976.37 PFO Manapaqua Brook
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Delineated Area Within Project Study Wetland Wetland Name Subwatershed1 Area Classification (Sq. Feet) Wetland 17 2750.08 PFO Manapaqua Brook
Wetland 18 5724.74 PFO/PSS Manapaqua Brook
Wetland 19 6916.12 PFO/PSS Manapaqua Brook
Wetland 20 262.02 PFO Manapaqua Brook
Wetland 21 7726.07 PFO Manapaqua Brook Notes: 1 Subwatersheds are based on the NJDEP HUC-14 boundaries.
3.5.7 Groundwater Groundwater is water that lies in aquifers beneath the land surface. The PSA is underlain by the Kirkwood-Cohansy aquifer system. The depth to groundwater within the aquifer is reported as approximately 10 feet below ground surface. The PSA is located within the New Jersey Pinelands and the groundwater is classified by NJDEP as Class I-PL. Class I groundwater is considered non-degradation water, and Class I-PL groundwater must be maintained at background water quality. The Lakehurst portion of JB MDL was listed on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act on July 22, 1987. There are 10 active Installation Restoration Program sites. The PSA does not traverse any known areas of soil contamination. Of the 10 active Installation Restoration Program sites, the PSA traverses or is near 3 sites with remaining groundwater contamination: Sites AT016 and TT017, known collectively as the Area C Groundwater Operable Unit (Area C OU); and Site OW006, known as the Area I/J Groundwater Operable Unit (Area I/J OU). Areas C and I/J are actively monitored as part of an overall site remediation plan managed by JB MDL. Based on the most recent monitoring, analysis and findings, the condition of Areas C and I/J is as follows: Area C OU is located along the southern boundary of JBMDL-Lakehurst in the eastern portion of the base. Area C borders the northern side of Patrol Road, immediately adjacent to the PSA. Historically, Area C included sites associated with a former firefighting training area and a fuel farm. The following active sites are located in Area C: TT017 (fuel farm 196) and AT016 (firefighting training area). A groundwater pump and treat system has operated at Area C since the early 1990’s. Additionally, bioventing systems operated at Site TT017 from 1995 to 2014 and at site AT016 from 1995 to 2012. All active remediation systems have been recently shutdown to facilitate the performance of a monitored natural attenuation study. The extensive groundwater monitoring has identified groundwater flow to be east to northeast, away from the PSA. In addition, the groundwater monitoring has not shown contamination above regulatory standards at monitoring wells in the vicinity of the PSA since prior to 2013. PFC contamination, including but not limited to PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-13 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement sulfonate), was recently identified more than 500-feet from the PSA. The extent of PFC groundwater contamination is under investigation and is currently unknown. Area I/J is a dissolved chlorinated volatile organic chemical (CVOC) groundwater plume located along the southeastern boundary of the JB MDL Lakehurst, in the west-central portion of the base and crosses the PSA. The Area I/J groundwater plume includes one active site - site OW006 (Catapult Test Facility). The final Record of Decision for Area I/J groundwater was issued in 1999 and was modified via an Explanation of Significant Differences in 2003. The remedy is Monitored Natural Attenuation. Well sampling data from an extensive monitoring well network shows that the dissolved CVOC plume is primarily 50 to 70 feet below ground surface, and no contamination is in the shallow groundwater. The above assessments are based on findings of the following recent reports: · PARS, 2015 · Arcadis, 2016 · Arcadis, 2016b · Arcadis, 2016c · Arcadis, 2016d 3.5.8 Stormwater Management The Lakehurst Area of JB MDL currently operates under a R11 Public Complex Stormwater General Permit from the NJDEP and maintains a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for control of point and non-point source pollution of surrounding surface and groundwater. Current systems include pollution prevention measures, retention ponds, and a network of collection systems. All construction projects at the base must have a site-specific SESC Plan that includes runoff control during and after construction.
3.6 Biological Resources 3.6.1 Regulatory Framework Protection and management of biological resources at JB MDL is mandated by a number of laws, regulations, and guidance documents. The primary statutes, regulations, EOs, and guidance that direct, and apply to, the management of biological resources within the PSA include the following: · Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC 1531 et. seq.) · Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1251 et. seq.) · Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 USC 2901 et. seq.) · Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934 (16 USC 661 et. seq.) · Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1966 (16 USC 715) · Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 USC 703-711) · Sikes Act of 1960 (16 USC 670 et. seq.), as amended · Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management, 18 November 2014
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· EO 11988, Floodplain Management, 24 May 1977, as amended by EO 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input, 30 Jan 2015 · EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands, 24 May 1977 · EO 11991, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality, 24 May 1977 · Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et. seq., N.J.A.C. 7:50 [et. seq.]). 3.6.2 Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan JB MDL manages natural resources in accordance with its Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP). The INRMP provides detailed descriptions of the natural resources present at JB MDL, identifies management issues, and establishes specific natural resources management activities. The INRMP was developed in cooperation with the USFWS and the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (JB MDL, 2015). The potential for threatened and endangered (T&E) species or their habitat (water dependent) to occur within the PSA (see Section 3.6.5) was reviewed using Landscape Project 3.1 Data (see Figure 12) as well as correspondence from the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program (NJNHP) (dated April 16 and May 13, 2015; see Appendix C). 3.6.3 Vegetation Vegetation within the PSA includes undeveloped vegetated lands and maintained plant communities, such as maintained road ROW areas. The primary cover types within the PSA are forest, paved areas, and maintained roadside areas. Forested wetlands are present at several locations, with larger areas associated with the larger river and stream systems. The PSA extends through portions of the Pinelands Area, and upland forested plant communities transition to a mixed deciduous/coniferous forest dominated by pitch pine (Pinus rigida), various oak species, and lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans) as is typical of vegetative communities within the New Jersey Pinelands. Forested wetlands within the PSA consist of communities dominated by pitch pine, sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), as well as Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) wetlands. T&E plant species are described in Section 3.6.5 and listed in Table 3-6. No wildlife management areas are located within the PSA; however, wildlife management areas near the proposed pipeline corridor are discussed in Section 3.2.3. The PSA lies within New Jersey’s level III ecoregion designated as Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens (USEPA, 2016c). This ecoregion is distinguished from the coastal ecoregion to the south by its coarser grained soils and Oak-pine potential natural vegetation, as compared to forests including hickory. Appalachian Oak forests and northern hardwoods were found in the coastal ecoregion to the north. The physiography of this ecoregion is not as flat as that of the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain, but it is not as irregular as that of the Northeastern Coastal Zone. 3.6.4 Wildlife Typical wildlife species found within the PSA include those found in wetlands, forested habitats, scrub-shrub habitats, open/agricultural lands and developed or disturbed areas within New Jersey. A diversity of wildlife habitats exist primarily within special use areas such as preserved open space lands. The area is likely to contain numerous common and state listed birds, including waterfowl, wading birds, raptors, woodpeckers, and songbirds.
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Common wildlife expected to be present within the PSA include raccoon (Procyon lotor), common muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), red headed wood pecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), titmice (Paridae sp.), white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), northern gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor), fowlers toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii fowleri), red tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiana), spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana), green frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota), carpenter frog (Lithobates virgatipes), scarlet tanager (Piranga olivaceae), ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), and common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). Additional wildlife that may be found within wetlands in the PSA include northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), box turtle (Terrapene c. carolina), garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), eastern spadefoot toad (Scapphiopus holbrook), northern red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber), black rat snake (Elaphe obsolete), black racer (Coluber constrictor), northern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus), pine warbler (Setophaga pinus), Cooper’s hawk (Accipter cooperii), Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), great crested flycatcher (Mylarchus crinitus), and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). 3.6.5 Threatened and Endangered Species The NJDEP Natural Heritage Priority Sites were created to identify critically important areas to conserve New Jersey's biological diversity, with particular emphasis on rare plant species and ecological communities (NJDEP, 2001). Natural Heritage Priority Sites are designated by NJDEP based on analysis of information in the New Jersey Natural Heritage Database and are displayed in Figure 12. Each site is ranked according to its significance for biological diversity using a scale developed by The Nature Conservancy, the network of Natural Heritage Programs across the United States, and the NJNHP. The global biodiversity significance ranks range from B1 to B5, with B1 designating the highest significance. These ranks are for planning and conservation purposes and as such are not regulatory in nature. Therefore, these sites do not cover all known habitat for federal or state endangered and threatened species in New Jersey. The PSA does not contain any Natural Heritage Priority Sites. JB MDL evaluated the potential for T&E animal species using the New Jersey Landscape Project Mapping (Version 3.1) (Figure 12). The potential presence of T&E plant species was assessed using the NJNHP Grid Maps, General Locations of Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities (NJNHP, 2009). Forty-three federally and/or state-listed T&E animal species and 92 listed plant species are known to occur within the New Jersey Pinelands (NJPC, 2012). Table 3-7 lists the T&E species identified by the Landscape Project Mapping and provides a brief description of their habitat. A habitat assessment and evaluation identified the presence of suitable habitat for numerous T&E species within the PSA (DEC, 2015; URS, 2014; URS, 2015). Habitat extents did not always coincide with what was mapped by the New Jersey Landscape Project. These areas were identified and confirmed as either present as mapped (As Mapped), potentially present as mapped (Potential), or not present as mapped (None) based on species specific requirements. Supplemental surveys for northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) and timber rattlesnake were completed in summer 2015. Comprehensive plant surveys were conducted throughout the fall of 2014 and spring and summer of 2015 to survey for sickle-leaved golden aster (Pityopsis falcata), Knieskern’s beaked rush (Rhynchospora knieskernii), swamp pink (Helonias bullata), and purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea). Overall, potential habitat was identified for barred owl, red-headed woodpecker, timber rattlesnake, corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus), northern pine snake, bog turtle, northern long
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-16 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), swamp pink, and purple bladderwort within the vicinity of the proposed easement. Populations of sickle-leaved golden aster were identified throughout the PSA. The results of the habitat assessments and targeted surveys were submitted to NJDEP and NJPC (URS, 2015; DuBois Environmental Consultants [DEC], 2015). A separate report documenting the results of the habitat assessment and targeted surveys for all federally listed species was submitted to USFWS (DEC, 2015). In response to comments received from NJDEP (See Appendix C), members of NJNG, AECOM, and DEC met with USFWS on April 7, 2016 to discuss the Project, survey results, and proposed mitigation and habitat management measures. A summary of this meeting outlining the conditions recommended by USFWS and the finding that if these conditions were followed, there would be no adverse impacts to federally protected threatened or endangered species, was submitted to NJDEP by USFWS in the form of a Two-Way Memorandum dated April 16, 2016. A supplemental Phase II bog turtle survey report was prepared by DEC detailing the additional surveys conducted in May 2016 and confirming the absence of bog turtles within Wetland 10. This report was submitted to USFWS on June 6, 2016. USFWS concurred with these findings and provided correspondence to NJDEP in an email dated July 5, 2016 (See Appendix D).
Table 3-7 Threatened and Endangered Species within the Project Study Area
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Bald eagle habitat consists of areas near lakes, reservoirs, rivers, mature Haliaeetus Endangered Bald Eagle2 Not Listed coniferous leucocephalus (breeding) forests, marshes and coastlines (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2014). Bog turtle habitat includes areas of open, unpolluted emergent and scrub-shrub wetlands such Glyptemys Bog Turtle2,3 Threatened Endangered as shallow muhlenbergii spring-fed fens, sphagnum bogs, swamps, marshy areas, and wet pastures (USFWS, 2014).
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Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Least tern colonies primarily inhabit barrier island beaches or mainland beach strands (NJDEP, 2012). Preferential nest sites may also Sternula Least Tern Endangered Endangered be located near antillarum sand and gravel pits (NJDEP, 2012). Bays, lagoons, estuaries, rivers and coastlines lakes are all areas where this species can be seen foraging.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-18 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Timber rattlesnake habitat consists of primarily pitch pine, short-leaf pine (P. echinata), scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Dens Timber located in the Crotalus horridus Not Listed Endangered Rattlesnake2,3 Pinelands are usually found in cedar swamps and along stream banks. During the summer, timber rattlesnakes will target forested habitats with 25- 50% canopy cover and approximately 75% vegetative ground cover (NJFWS, 2014). The Upland Sandpiper inhabits grasslands, fallow fields and Upland Bartramia Not Listed Endangered meadows that Sandpiper longicauda are often associated with pastures, farms or airports (NJDEP, 2014).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-19 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Barred owl habitat consists of mixed forests of large trees, often near water (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2014). Large un-fragmented patches of mature forest are preferred as well Barred Owl2 Strix varia Not Listed Threatened as swamps, riparian areas and uplands dominated by hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis), various types of maple, oak and other larger hardwoods (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2014). In New Jersey, the Northern pine snake is typically active from mid-April to mid-October. The remaining months Northern Northern Pine Pituophis pine snakes are Not Listed Threatened Snake melanoleucus mainly located in underground hibernacula. This species prefers well- drained, sandy, upland pine and pine-oak forests (NJFWS, 2014).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-20 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Pine Barrens tree frog inhabits New Jersey Pinelands and requires specific acidic habitats with low pH. Atlantic white cedar swamps Pine Barrens Hyla andersonii Not Listed Threatened and pitch pine Treefrog2 lowlands are ideal habitat with carpeted dense mats of sphagnum moss (Conserve Wildlife Foundation [CWF], 2014). Red-headed woodpecker breed in deciduous woodlands with oak or beech trees, groves of dead or dying trees, river bottoms, burned Red-Headed Melanerpes areas, recent Not Listed Threatened Woodpecker erythrocephalus clearings, beaver swamps, orchards, parks, farmland, grasslands with scattered trees, forest edges, and roadsides (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2014).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-21 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 While suitable hibernacula areas for Northern Long Eared Bat consist of large caves and abandoned mines, suitable foraging habitat is described in Northern Long Myotis Threatened Threatened more general Eared Bat septentrionalis terms, as consisting of forested areas. Summer nesting habitat includes cavities, crevices, and beneath the bark of both dead and live trees (USFWS, 2014). Long’s Woolgrass is found in seasonally flooded Long’s peatlands, Scirpus longii Not Listed Endangered, LP4 Woolgrass marshes, fens, lakes and river shores and mainly on the coastal plain (NEWFS, 2014).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-22 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Narrow-leaf Vervain inhabits dry, sandy fields, dry, open woodlands and balds; limestone Narrow-leaf Verbena simplex Not Listed Endangered, LP4 pavements, rock Vervain cervices, marble quarries, railroad cuts, roadsides and other disturbed areas (Elliman, 2001). Pine Barren Boneset can be found in boggy wet areas including Pine Barrens Eupatorium seepage bogs, Not Listed Endangered, LP4 Boneset resinosum shrub bogs, pocosins, stream banks and disturbed wet openings (NJNHP, 2008).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-23 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Federal Listing New Jersey Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Status Listing Status1 Sickle-leaved golden-aster is only found on sandy glacial deposits that were left behind by the Wisconsin glaciation; these deposits typically occur in meadows and Sickle-leaved Pityopsis falcata Not Listed LP4 fields. It thrives golden-aster in full sun and nutrient poor soils; this species does not tolerate moist habitats and full shade (Nantucket Conservation Foundation [NCF], 2014). Slender Rattlesnake Root is found in Slender open, sandy, Prenanthes Rattlesnake Not Listed LP4 central areas autumnalis Root and flowers from September to early October (Boyd, 1991). Notes: 1 Indicates taxa listed by the NJPC as threatened or endangered within the Pinelands Area (N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.27). 2 Classified as Wetland Dependent per New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act (N.J.A.C. 7:7A). 3 Classified as Critically Dependent on Water Quality for Survival per New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act (N.J.A.C. 7:13). 4 Indicates taxa listed by the Pinelands Commission as endangered or threatened within their legal jurisdiction.
3.7 Cultural Resources In 2014, background research was conducted at the New Jersey SHPO, New Jersey State Museum, New Jersey State Library, NJPC, and other institutions to obtain information regarding historic architectural and archaeological resources within the PSA (Walker et al., 2015). In addition, a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey was completed within and adjacent to the proposed easement to comply with NJPC CMP regulations (Walker et al., 2015). The Phase I
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-24 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Cultural Resources Survey report was reviewed and approved by the NJPC in a letter dated August 3, 2015 (see Appendix E). 3.7.1 Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan JB MDL operates its cultural resources management program in accordance with AFI 32-7065 – Cultural Resources Management. The Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP), 20 March 2014 provides an internal compliance and management tool that integrates the entirety of the cultural resources program with ongoing mission activities. The ICRMP establishes priorities for the identification and standards for the evaluation of cultural resources, and provides a schedule to accomplish program objectives during a 5-year program (JB MDL, 2015). 3.7.2 Prehistoric Archaeology A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey was conducted in 2014 and 2015 within and adjacent to the proposed easement (Walker et al., 2015). The survey was conducted to comply with the revised Pinelands guidelines for cultural resource surveys, which were incorporated into the amended CMP for Historic Period Sites, adopted by the NJPC on August 10, 1990, published in April 1991, and updated in October 2006. The report complies with the NJPC Guidelines for Cultural Resource Surveys, revised on May 5, 2014. Archaeological fieldwork included geomorphology, visual inspection, and the excavation of shovel test pits (STPs). The location of STPs is depicted in Figure 13. No prehistoric artifacts or sites were identified within or near the proposed easement. 3.7.3 Historic Archaeology The Phase I Cultural Resource Survey conducted in 2014 and 2015 within and adjacent to the proposed easement included historic background research, a review of historic maps, visual inspection, and the excavation of STPs (Walker et al., 2015). Background research determined that a low sensitivity for historic archaeological resources exists within the proposed easement. The location of STPs is depicted in Figure 13. Archaeologists found 26 historic artifacts dating to the 20th century within and near the proposed easement. The artifacts were not considered an archaeological resource eligible for Pinelands Designation and were not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 3.7.4 Historic Architectural Resources The Phase I Cultural Resource Survey conducted in 2014 and 2015 within the PSA included a reconnaissance-level historic architectural survey carried out in accordance with the NJPC CMP (N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.155) and the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJHPO) Guidelines for Architectural Survey (Walker et al., 2015). The survey revealed a total of four previously- recorded historic architectural resources within a 1-mile radius of the proposed easement centerline of JB MDL: the Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center (BOMARC) Site (NJHPO ID 2319), the Lighter-than-Air (LTA) Historic District (NJHPO ID 2899), the Cathedral of the Air (NJHPO ID 2899), and Hangar 1 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station (NJHPO ID 2317). Each of these resources has been inventoried and evaluated for NRHP eligibility (Figure 13). Both the Cathedral of the Air and Hangar 1 are also contributing resources to the LTA Historic District. Only two individual resources, the BOMARC Site and the Cathedral of the Air, are within the PSA. Historic properties eligible for or listed on the NRHP are discussed herein. The easement would intersect the southwest corner of the BOMARC Site, a 60-acre site located on the eastern side of CR 539. The site was determined eligible for listing on the NRHP on June 23, 1992 under Criterion A for its association with the Cold War. It is also eligible under
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-25 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Criterion C as an exceptional and intact collection of Cold War–era buildings that consist of 84 missile shelters and 26 support buildings. The LTA Historic District is an early air transportation historic district comprised of three discontinuous areas all situated to the north of the proposed easement. The district contains approximately 112 structures, including the Hindenburg crash site, the National Historic Landmark (NHL)-listed Hangar 1, and the Cathedral of the Air. The district was determined eligible on June 27, 1995, under Criterion A for its association with the Hindenburg disaster, and for “the unique role it played in the pioneering and development of LTA aviation in the United States” between 1921 and the end of World War II (Baystate Environmental Consultants 1994: 132). The closest contributing resource to the PSA is the Cathedral of the Air, located 412 feet northeast of the easement centerline. The Cathedral of the Air was constructed in 1932 and memorializes the service of military and civilian aviators. Hangars 5 and 6, located in the westernmost section of the district, are located approximately a quarter of a mile to the north. Hangar 1, Lakehurst Naval Air Station, is located approximately a half mile north of the easement and was declared a NHL on May 23, 1968. It was also listed on the New Jersey State Register on May 27, 1971 and is a contributing resource to the LTA Historic District. Built in 1921, Hangar 1 is significant under Criterion C as the first major facility built to house the huge helium-filled dirigibles. It was also the intended destination for the Hindenburg, but the aircraft burst into flames and was destroyed by fire when it attempted to land at Lakehurst. The easement area would not be visible from any portions of the LTA Historic District. Other buildings and structures determined ineligible for the NRHP and located near the easement are discussed in the Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Report (Walker et al., 2015). The historic architectural survey concluded that historic properties would not be adversely affected by the construction of the pipeline. 3.7.5 JB MDL Native American Consultation JB MDL conducted formal government to government consultation with the Delaware Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians for the proposed granting of the easement. JB MDL also invited these tribes to be consulting parties for this EA and under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. During consultations, the Delaware Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians determined that no known tribal cultural resources will be affected by the proposed Project. This determination is consistent with past consultations in which no Native American Traditional Cultural Properties, protected tribal resources, tribal rights, or sacred tribal sites were known to be present within JB MDL. Consultation letters sent to the Delaware Nation and Delaware Tribe of Indians regarding the easement and their responses are included in Appendix A. Based on the Phase I Cultural Resources Survey completed for the easement, JB MDL determined the easement would be located in an area that is unlikely to contain remains of Native American sites (Walker et al., 2015).
3.8 Energy and Infrastructure 3.8.1 Building Infrastructure
There are no buildings within the proposed easement.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-26 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
3.8.2 Wastewater Treatment Most facilities at Lakehurst connect to a base wastewater collection system, including 15 pumping systems (operated by JB MDL) that ultimately tie into the Ocean County Utility Authority, which provides tertiary treatment for wastewater before it is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean (JB MDL, 2015b). 3.8.3 Energy Supply 3.8.3.1 Electricity GPU Energy provides electricity to the Lakehurst area of JB MDL (JB MDL, 2015b). 3.8.3.2 Heating Most of the base heating systems use natural gas. There is an extensive network of natural gas lines on the Lakehurst portion of JB MDL. JB MDL also has a delivery order contract to deliver propane to Lakehurst sites (JB MDL, 2015b).
3.9 Materials and Waste The proposed pipeline would be constructed of 30-inch, X60, 0.5-inch wall steel pipe. Additional construction materials typical of constructing natural gas pipelines would be utilized. Lakehurst utilizes the Ocean County Landfill in Manchester Township for non-recyclable, municipal type waste. Lakehurst adheres to a Hazardous Material Control and Management Plan, which defines the procedures for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste. According to the management plan, each department and tenant must possess a Hazardous Waste Coordinator and Spill Response Coordinator. The Spill Response Coordinator and/or the Hazardous Waste Coordinator must be contacted in the event of a spill (EHS Technologies, 2012).
3.10 Traffic and Noise
3.10.1 Traffic The location of the proposed easement was selected such that it would not be located on land that is mission essential. As described in Section 2.3, the proposed easement would be located within and along existing roadways, including CR 539, South Boundary Road, Taxiway 4, Broome Road, and CR 547/Ridgeway Road. No vehicular restrictions exist along CR 539 or CR 547/Ridgeway Road as these are public roads; however, the remaining roads are located within JB MDL and require access to the base and therefore receive limited traffic. Additionally, the roads within JB MDL are located on the southern perimeter of the base away from heavily used facilities and therefore are not heavily utilized. 3.10.2 Noise Primary sources of noise within the vicinity of the proposed pipeline segment are from vehicles, military training activities, and military aircraft operations. Residential developments located outside of the PSA along Route 70 are buffered from noise inputs from the base by forested areas, including the Manchester Wildlife Management Area.
3.11 Socioeconomics JB MDL spans more than 20 miles east to west with 42,000-contiguous acres. It is located within two of the largest counties in New Jersey, Ocean and Burlington, and bordered by 10
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-27 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement townships or boroughs. JB MDL is home to more than 80 mission partners who provide a wide range of combat capability. JB MDL is one of the largest employers in New Jersey – the only other entity employing more than JB MDL is the state of New Jersey. JB MDL has approximately 40,000 assigned personnel with a mix of approximately 31 percent military and 69 percent civilian (EHS Technologies, 2012).
3.12 Health and Safety 3.12.1 Police and Fire Protection The JB MDL Police force provides primary response to emergencies within the JB MDL. Its closest headquarters is located northeast of the PSA. The Lakehurst Fire Rescue Facility is the closest fire rescue unit to the proposed easement, located at the intersection of Rounds and McCord Roads. 3.12.2 Medical Facilities Military medical facilities are available on all three portions of JB MDL. Civilian medical facilities within close proximity to the Lakehurst portion of JB MDL include the Community Medical Center located in Toms River, New Jersey (on Route 37 near the Garden State Parkway) approximately 10 miles east of the main gate. 3.12.3 Munitions and Explosives Concern Military activities on Lakehurst date back to 1918 when the area was utilized as a World War I training camp and a proving ground. As a former munitions proving ground, there are large areas within JB MDL Lakehurst where UXOs have been encountered (EHS Technologies, 2012). The proposed pipeline easement is outside of the areas designated by the base as having a high or moderate potential for UXO to be encountered (Naval Air Systems Command [NAVAIR], 2016).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 3-28 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
4.1 General Overview This chapter identifies potential direct and indirect effects of the alternatives for each resource area described in Chapter 3 and compares the potential effects of those alternatives. The potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of implementing each identified alternative, as well as any required best management practices (BMPs) associated with each alternative, are also presented.
4.2 Land Use
4.2.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Alternative 1 would not result in significant adverse land use impacts as NJNG would locate the majority of the proposed pipeline segment within the footprint of existing JB MDL roads. As described in Section 2.3, the proposed pipeline segment has been designed such that it is located almost entirely within or adjacent to existing roadways in previously disturbed maintained roadside areas or in previously cleared land. Alternative 1 requires development within the New Jersey Pinelands. The Executive Director of the Pinelands Commission issued a Certificate of Filing for the proposed SRL Project on December 9, 2015 (Application # 2014-0045.001). The Certificate of Filing will be reviewed and voted on by the full Pinelands Commission Board, which will determine Project conformance with the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. Construction of Alternative 1 would result in minor and temporary adverse land use impacts from trenching activities and temporary road closures. The pipeline would be installed underground to a minimum cover of 4 feet utilizing both trenching and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology. Temporary closures would occur to the roadways during the construction period. The proposed pipeline segment is not located on land that is mission essential, and Traffic Control plans would be designed in coordination with JB MDL to ensure access is maintained throughout the base. The majority of the proposed pipeline would be located within existing paved or gravel roads that would be re-paved following construction. Unpaved areas where the pipeline is to be located consisting of open land would be graded, revegetated, and restored to pre-existing conditions following construction thus maintaining their existing land use. As the pipeline route exits Patrol Road continuing southeast towards County Route (CR) 547, the pipeline crosses an area of upland forest. Although HDD would be used to install the pipeline through the forested area, this alternative would require a 20-foot wide clearing of upland trees to allow for the stringing and pull through of the pipe for the HDD under Route 547. Following the construction, a permanently cleared 10-foot wide easement would need to be maintained directly above the pipeline for operation and maintenance. In total, this alternative would result in the clearing of 0.42 acres of upland trees, predominantly pitch pine, within JB MDL. All tree clearing and restoration would occur between November 1 and March 14 and would be conducted in accordance with the NJPC Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). No construction of permanent structures or planting of woody vegetation would be allowed within the permanent 10-foot wide easement following construction of the pipeline segment. However, portions of the easement that are located within existing paved areas would be restored to pre-existing conditions and would have no limitations on traffic. The construction of the three valve sites would result in negligible impacts to land use. The three valve sites would require the conversion of approximately 1,875 square feet of herbaceous land to gravel in previously disturbed and maintained areas (see Figure 3). The
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement valve sites would be fenced in and stabilized with clean stone, and the infiltrative capacity of the underlying soils would remain unchanged. 4.2.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no land use impacts would occur.
4.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
4.3.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Alternative 1 would result in minor and temporary adverse impacts to air quality from construction and negligible impacts to air quality from operations. Construction-related emissions would be mainly transient in nature, limited to the immediate vicinity of the construction area. Construction-related air emissions would include combustion emissions from the operation of construction equipment and fugitive dust emissions related to earth moving and construction activities, including HDD, land clearing, grading, excavation, and vehicular travel in unpaved areas. Construction equipment would include diesel- or gasoline-powered earth- moving equipment (i.e., bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, trucks and other mobile sources). The construction equipment would be a source of NOx, CO, VOC, PM10 and PM2.5 emissions, in addition to small amounts of SO2 and trace quantities of air toxics (see Table 4-1 for estimate of construction emissions). The amount of combustion emissions would depend on the type of equipment and the type and number of vehicles and engine-powered equipment units used and duration of construction activity. Also, the amount of fugitive dust emissions would depend on the type and the duration of construction activity, moisture content and type of soils being disturbed. Calculations for air emissions estimates are included in Appendix F. Air emissions calculations often follow the general format of: Pollutant Emissions for a Unit of Activity x Estimate Quantity of Activity For example, the HDD activity calculations are as follows: Pollutant Emission Factor (grams/horsepower-hour) x Total Horsepower All Engines (horsepower) x Total Hours x (1 pound/ 453.9 gram) = Emissions per Drill (pounds/drill) And, Emissions per Drill (pound/drill) x Proposed Number of Drills per Year x 1 ton/2000 pounds = Total Emissions of Pollutant per Year (tons) Where, Total Hours per Drill = Overall Load Factor (fractional) x Drilling Activity Duration (days/drill) x Drilling Activity Duration (hours/day) Operation and maintenance of the pipeline segment through JB MDL would have minimal to no impacts to air quality. Construction activities associated with pipeline maintenance could produce short-term and minor impacts to air quality as described above. There would be no long-term operational emission sources installed on JB MDL as this alternative does not include the operation of a new compressor station, or any other new stationary air emission sources subject to permitting or regulation by the NJDEP or federal agencies. Insignificant emissions are possible from the valve sites.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-2 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
NJNG would implement BMPs to address potential construction emissions, including the following: · Fuel-fired construction equipment engines would be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications/recommendations to minimize construction-related combustion emissions; · Combustion emissions would be controlled using engines that meet engine manufacturing requirements. NJNG would also comply with the idling regulations during construction, as applicable; · NJNG would implement fugitive dust-control measures, including application of water and/or dust suppressants to the construction areas and spoil storage piles, as necessary, to minimize generation of fugitive dust from construction activities; and · NJNG would limit the speed of vehicles traveling on unpaved surfaces at the construction sites and the pipeline ROW during construction.
Table 4-1 Construction Emissions – Calendar Year 2018
Total Emissions (tons)
Source CO NOx PM10 PM2.5 SO2 VOC CO2 e Drilling Horizontal 4.4 6.4 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.7 879 Directional Drilling Construction 31.4 45.9 1.8 1.8 0.1 12.1 6,281 Equipment Exhaust On-road Exhaust Worker Commuting 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 51 Delivery Trucks 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 14 Fugitive Dust Wind Erosion -- -- 4.0 2.0 ------Bulldozing -- -- 5.9 3.2 ------Unpaved Roads -- -- 5.5 0.5 ------Paved Roads -- -- 0.1 0.0 ------Total 36.3 52.5 17.5 7.8 0.1 13.8 7,224 Hazardous Air Pollutants Emissions (tons) 1, 3 Acetald Formal- Source Beta- Benzene Toluene Totals ehyde dehyde diene Drilling Horizontal -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Directional Drilling Construction -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Equipment Exhaust On-road Exhaust Worker Commuting 0.3 0.2 2.1 0.4 -- 2.9 Delivery Trucks 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 -- 0.5
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-3 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Hazardous Air Pollutants Emissions (tons) 1, 3 Acetal- Formal- Source Buta- Benzene Toluene Totals dehyde dehyde diene Fugitive Dust Wind Erosion ------Bulldozing ------Unpaved Roads ------Paved Roads ------Total 0.3 0.3 2.2 0.7 0.0 3.5
Greenhouse gas emissions are typically reported as metric tons of CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq). CO2-eq is a measure used to compare greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential, using the functionally equivalent amount or concentration of CO2 as a reference. For a given mixture of greenhouse gases, the CO2-eq is the amount of CO2 that would have the same global warming effect as the mixture of greenhouse gases. The CO2-eq of a gas is derived by multiplying the amount of the gas by its global warming potential. For example, the global warming potential for CO2 is 1, CH4 is 25, and N2O is 298 (40 CFR 98, Subpart A). The greenhouse gas analysis estimates the potential impacts associated with greenhouse gases using the CO2-eq value. Short-term, minor impacts to greenhouse gases would occur during construction of the pipeline. Construction would involve approximately 10 months of ground disturbing activities such as land clearing, pipeline trenching and installation, and equipment staging. Table 4-1 presents the estimated CO2-eq for construction. Greenhouse gas emissions from operation of the proposed pipeline within JB MDL would be negligible. The analysis considers greenhouse gas emissions due to operation of the entire proposed pipeline and fugitive emissions. The proposed pipeline would have nine valves, three of which would be located within JB MDL. The valves could produce temporary fugitive emissions from controlled maintenance operations on the valves along the route. These valves would be a source of fugitive emissions during maintenance of the pipeline, resulting in the release of the gas (non-criteria pollutants) from the closed portion of the pipeline. Such releases of fugitive emissions from the valves within JB MDL during operation of the pipeline are anticipated to be infrequent and minimal, resulting in negligible impacts on greenhouse gases. Since the estimated emissions due to the proposed pipeline within JB MDL do not exceed the Reporting Rule thresholds, no additional reporting requirements are triggered and the impacts would be negligible. Operation of the proposed pipeline would produce greenhouse gas emissions due to the electric-powered compressor station which would be located at the start of the proposed pipeline, outside of the JB MDL boundary, used to transport the product through the pipeline. Although the compressor station would not be a direct source of emissions within JB MDL, per Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) guidance on evaluating climate change impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (CEQ, 2016), the greenhouse gas analysis considers the indirect emissions associated with the power plant emissions due to the generation of energy required to operate the compressor station. It is estimated that operation of the electrical compressor station would result in approximately 92,000 metric tons per year of indirect CO2-eq emissions which would be emitted outside of JB MDL at an existing power source (e.g., power plant).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-4 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
The potential impacts of climate change in New Jersey include increased temperatures, increased intensity of severe weather events, including increased number of heavy precipitation events and increased potential for flooding, and increased drought periods and increased potential for wildfire. Impacts of climate change on the project would be minimized through project design. The proposed pipeline and associated infrastructure would meet appropriate U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and other industry design standards. In addition, with the exception of the compressor station, the proposed pipeline and valves (three of which would be located on JB MDL) would be buried underground, which would protect them from most surface impacts, including higher surface temperatures and increased flooding events. These adverse weather conditions, however, could potentially affect the normal operations of the proposed pipeline. For example, flooding could damage equipment, short out electrical systems and components, or even create corrosive conditions. Heavy rains, snowfall, and high winds may produce conditions that could affect the system integrity over time. These potential adverse effects of climate on the proposed pipeline and associated infrastructure would be mitigated through required periodic inspections. Overall adverse effects of climate change on the project are anticipated to be minor. Table 4-2 provides an applicability analysis for the General Conformity Rule. As shown in this table, estimated emission rates for Alternative 1 would not exceed General Conformity de minimis rates. Ocean County is currently Marginal Non-Attainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone standard. Ocean County is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-MD-DE Marginal Non-Attainment Area. All of New Jersey is within the Ozone Transport Region; therefore, the 50 tpy VOC de minimis threshold applies. Federal actions occurring in attainment areas are not subject to the conformity rules, so only pollutants related to ozone non-attainment are considered.
Table 4-2 General Conformity Applicability Analysis
Applicable Are the Is General County General Location Project Conformity Non- Construction Conformity (County, Emissions Determination Attainment Emissions “De State) “De Required? Pollutants1 Minimis” Minimis”? (Yes/No) Rates Ocean, 52.5 tons NOx 100 tpy NOx O Yes No New Jersey 3 13.8 tons VOC 50 tpy VOC Notes: 1 Emissions of construction activities are assumed to occur during one calendar year.
As discussed in Section 3.3.1, the closest Class 1 Area to the proposed easement is the Brigantine Wilderness Area, which is approximately 50.2 km (31.2 miles) to the south of the closest section of pipeline construction (at the corner of Whiting-New Egypt Rd [Route 539] and South Boundary Road). The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are the Federal Land Manager in charge of air quality management at the Brigantine Wilderness Area. For ground-level releases such as fugitive dust and engine emissions, if the Project would not cause a NAAQS exceedance proximate to the Project, it would not cause an exceedance 50 km (31.1 miles) away. Dust and equipment exhaust or vehicle tailpipe emissions are ground-level releases that would not be expected to be great enough in magnitude to significantly impact a receptor at a 50 km (31.1 miles) distance.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-5 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
4.3.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no air quality impacts would occur.
4.4 Geology, Topography, and Soils
4.4.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Construction of the pipeline segment on JB MDL would result in temporary and minor effects on geology, topography, and soils. NJNG would minimize temporary earth disturbances during construction by implementation of measures in the SESC Plan approved by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District (SCD). Impacts to topography and soil would be temporary and limited to the construction period within the construction areas. Construction and restoration of the construction areas would be conducted in accordance with the Ocean County SCD approved SESC Plan (SCD# 17519, certification date: November 25, 2015) and the NJPC CMP. During construction, the following BMPs would be utilized: · Silt fence · Compost filter sock · Stabilized construction entrances · Erosion control blanket · Storm sewer inlet protection · Dust control measures · Vegetative stabilization and seeding The proposed pipeline would be installed with a minimum cover of 4 feet, resulting in a nominal trench depth of 7 feet for the majority of the pipeline. At locations where the pipeline crosses under existing utilities, trench excavation could be as deep as 10 to 13 feet, depending on the depth of the existing utility. The pipeline would be installed at a depth of between 17 to 20 feet in locations were HDD methods are utilized and approximately 10 feet when conventional bore is utilized. To the extent possible, excavated material would be utilized as backfill material following placement of the pipe. Excess material from trench excavation and cuttings where HDD or conventional bore methods are utilized would be collected and disposed of by NJNG at a facility approved to receive the material. Following the construction of the pipeline segment, existing grades and surface cover would be restored to match adjacent topography, with the exception of the valve sites which would require the conversion of approximately 1,875 square feet of herbaceous land to gravel. Vegetative restoration activities include replacing grade cuts to original contours, seeding and mulching to restore ground cover and minimize erosion. Similarly, previously paved areas would also be restored to original contours and repaved. NJNG would verify that existing grades and surfaces were restored (with representatives from JB MDL) following completion of construction to verify NJNG compliance with JB MDL lease requirements. The proposed pipeline would be monitored by NJNG on a monthly basis to identify settling of the ground and verify continued compliance with lease requirements.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-6 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
The approximate 1,875 square feet required for the valve sites (625 square feet per site) would be stabilized with clean stone, and the infiltrative capacity of the underlying soils would remain unchanged. Native soils would be used in place of topsoil for restoration where applicable, and revegetation would be conducted in accordance with the approved plans and Landscaping and Revegetation guidelines of the NJPC CMP. The proposed easement would not result in the temporary or permanent loss of farmland on JB MDL as no farmland is present on JB MDL. The presence of PFCs; including but not limited to PFOA and PFOS was identified in the soil approximately 500-feet north of the PSA. The PFCs are presumed to be resulting from prior firefighting training exercises which occurred at Site 16 (see Appendix G – Figure 1). Based on the relative distance between the PSA and PFC impacted soil, there is no anticipated PFC impact to the soil within the PSA. 4.4.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no geography, topography or soil impacts would occur.
4.5 Water Resources 4.5.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG No adverse impacts to surface water, groundwater aquifers, wetlands, streams or water courses, water-recharge function, or surface water and groundwater quality are anticipated as a result of implementation of Alternative 1. The easement corridor for the proposed pipeline segment was developed to avoid wetlands and waterways to the maximum extent practical by co-locating the pipeline segment within or adjacent to existing roadways. In areas where the crossing of a regulated waterbody could not be avoided, NJNG would install the pipeline using HDD drilling techniques, conventional bore, or by tunneling under existing culverts, thus avoiding impacts to the resource. The pipeline would be installed at a depth of between 17 to 20 feet in locations were HDD methods are utilized and approximately 10 feet when conventional bore is utilized. Crossings of unregulated waters are not proposed. Implementation of the approved SESC Plans (SCD# 17519, certification date: November 25, 2015) would ensure that the proposed activities would not negatively impact wetlands or water quality. Additionally, permit requirements (Coastal Area Facility Review Act [CAFRA] IP and Freshwater Wetlands General Permit 2) specified by NJDEP would be established to avoid or minimize to the extent possible any wetland or water-quality impacts. Once constructed, the pipeline itself would not discharge any chemicals or compounds with the potential to diminish water quality. The analysis for the presence of 100-year floodplains within the PSA was performed through a review of available FIRMs prepared by FEMA. The limits of the floodway and floodplain are regulatory limits under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:13-1.1 et. seq.). The FEMA/FIRMs for Ocean County indicate that portions of the proposed pipeline easement are located within the 100-year flood boundary (see Figure 11). Following submittal of an Applicability Determination Request, NJDEP issued a Flood Hazard Applicability Determination dated September 16, 2016 stating that a Flood Hazard Area Permit is not required for the proposed activities. The proposed project meets the standards at N.J.A.C. 7:13-7.36 (37)(38): · Permit by rule 36 – Placement of an underground utility line using drilling or jacking;
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-7 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
· Permit by rule 37 – Placement of an underground utility line beneath existing pavement; and / or · Permit by rule 39 – Placement of an underground utility line that does not cross a regulated water Alternative 1, however, would not result in an increase in impervious surface or fill in the floodplain or floodway. The proposed pipeline would be constructed underground using HDD and trenching techniques. Proposed disturbance in the flood hazard area would be restored to pre-existing grade and no net fill in the flood hazard area is proposed. NJNG has sited valve sites outside of the Flood Hazard Area. The proposed pipeline segment through JB MDL would not result in permanent floodplain impacts. To the extent possible, excavated material would be utilized as backfill material following placement of the pipe. Excess material from trench excavation and cuttings where HDD or conventional bore methods are utilized would be collected and disposed of by NJNG at a facility approved to receive the material. Following the construction of the pipeline segment, existing grades and surface cover would be restored to match adjacent topography. Vegetative restoration activities include replacing grade cuts to original contours, seeding, fertilizer, and mulching to restore ground cover and minimize erosion. Similarly, previously paved areas would also be restored to original contours and repaved. NJNG would conduct a final inspection (with representatives from JB MDL, if required) following completion of construction to verify compliance with permit conditions. All construction conducted within the floodplain would be completed under permit by rule; and thus, NJNG is committed to enforceable NJDEP permit requirements. The proposed pipeline would be monitored by NJNG on a monthly basis to identify settling of the ground and verify continued compliance with lease and permit requirements. The Environmental Baseline Survey (Appendix G) documents the nature, magnitude, and extent of any readily identifiable environmental contamination and liabilities associated with the construction of the pipeline segment through JB MDL and provides information to assess environmental, health, and safety risks. Based on these findings, the proposed pipeline segment would traverse two areas where contaminated groundwater is present (Area C and Area I/J). The Area C groundwater plume that is contaminated with regulated compounds is located several hundred feet from the PSA, and the general direction of groundwater flow is away from the PSA (JB MDL, 2016). Based on the relative distance from the PSA and the direction of flow, the Area C groundwater that is contaminated by regulated compounds is not expected to be encountered within the PSA. Near Site 16 and Site 17 (see Appendix G – Figure 1) PFCs, including but not limited to PFOA and PFOS, were identified in the groundwater on JB MDL more than 500-feet from the PSA. The PFCs are presumed to be a result of prior firefighting training exercises which occurred at Site 16. The extent of PFC groundwater contamination is under investigation and currently unknown. PFOA and PFOS are currently unregulated compounds. Although the USEPA and NJDEP have established drinking water health advisories of 70 nanograms per liter (ng/L) and 40 ng/L, respectively, these health advisories are non-enforceable. The USAF responds to and addresses PFOS and PFOA releases into the environment pursuant to its authorities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA at 42 USC Sections 9601 et. seq.) and the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP at 10 USC sections 2700 et. seq.).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-8 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Based on the current information, it cannot be determined if PFC contaminated groundwater would be encountered within the PSA. Construction of the proposed SRL Project within the vicinity of PFC contaminated groundwater area would occur during the dry period, if practicable, when shallow groundwater levels are lower and less likely to be encountered during trenching. If groundwater should be encountered during construction, NJNG would have it first sampled, analyzed, and if present, handled appropriately according to NJDEP and Air Force procedures. The contaminated groundwater plume in Area I/J overlaps with the PSA. Well sampling has shown that the depth to contamination is primarily 50 to 70 feet below ground surface and that there is no contamination in the shallow groundwater where pipeline construction would occur. Using HDD methods, the pipeline would be installed at a depth of between 17 to 20 feet where the contaminated groundwater plume in Area I/J overlaps with the PSA. As such, contamination from Area I/J would not impact the PSA. In the event that groundwater is encountered within contaminated areas, NJNG would stop work, the groundwater would be sampled, and if contaminants were present, the JB MDL Restoration Program Manager would be contacted, who would then notify NJDEP, and the contaminated water would be disposed of appropriately. 4.5.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no adverse impacts to water resources would occur.
4.6 Biological Resources
4.6.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Implementation of Alternative 1 would result in minor, short-term disturbance of existing vegetation and wildlife during site preparation and construction as NJNG has located the proposed JB MDL pipeline segment within predominately previously disturbed roadside ROW and open land adjacent to developed areas. In total, the pipeline construction within JB MDL would result in the clearing of 0.42 acre of upland trees, predominantly pitch pine. All tree clearing and restoration would be conducted in accordance with the NJPC CMP. With respect to northern long-eared bat, there are no known active maternity trees within 150 feet of or known hibernaculum within 0.25 miles of the proposed easement, thus "incidental take" of individuals would be allowable under ESA provisions during tree removal. However, NJNG would not conduct tree removal from April 1 to October 31 (the northern long-eared bat active, tree-roosting season), which would ensure no direct take of any individuals (See Appendix D). This seasonal restriction would coincide with the migratory bird tree-nesting season (March 15 - August 31), thus, ensuring no direct take of any birds, nests, or eggs and Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance. As a result, no tree clearing would occur from March 15 to October 31. Annual maintenance and mowing activities of the pipeline easement would be limited to twice per year in March and September within JB MDL. During Phase I and Phase II bog turtle surveys, DuBois Environmental Consultants (DEC) identified a wetland area, termed Wetland 10, as suitable bog turtle habitat. Despite the identification of suitable habitat, no bog turtles were encountered and/or captured during any of the survey dates. A supplemental Phase II bog turtle survey report was prepared by DEC detailing the additional surveys conducted in May 2016 and confirming the absence of bog turtles within Wetland 10 (DEC 2016; Appendix C). This report was submitted to USFWS on
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-9 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
June 6, 2016. USFWS concurred with these findings that Wetland 10 does not constitute critical habitat for bog turtles and provided correspondence to NJDEP in an email dated July 5, 2016 (See Appendix D). Therefore, it is not anticipated that the NJNG easement would have direct or indirect adverse impacts on bog turtles within JB MDL. Despite the concurrence that no bog turtle habitat exists within the PSA, exclusion fencing consisting of double silt fence would be installed at Wetland 10 and all locations identified as potential bog turtle habitat by Landscape Project Version 3.1. Noise created during construction would cause birds and animals to leave the area and seek other locations, both on and off the base, for forage and cover. During construction, the frequent presence of people and heavy equipment (and associated construction noise), plus the removal of vegetation would likely keep animals from returning to the site; however, these impacts would be isolated and temporary. Habitat assessments and targeted surveys conducted by DEC in 2015 identified suitable habitat for threatened and endangered (T&E) species (DEC, 2015). The proposed pipeline easement was designed to avoid impacts to these resources. To the maximum extent possible, the pipeline construction areas were located outside of identified T&E species habitat and construction activities would be limited to prescribed construction timing restrictions. DEC determined that the proposed pipeline construction would not result in adverse impacts to T&E species habitat (DEC, 2015; Appendix C). USFWS concurred with these findings and provided correspondence to NJDEP of no adverse impacts to federally protected threatened or endangered species (See Appendix D). NJDEP issued a CAFRA Individual Permit (Number 0000-15-0007.1 CAF150001) and Freshwater Wetlands General Permit 2 (Number 0000-15- 0007.1 FWW15001) for the SRL Project on Feb 24, 2017 including conditions regarding T&E species. NJNG would employ all necessary BMPs as required by NJDEP and USFWS to ensure there are no impacts to T&E species. BMPs to be implemented include, but are not limited to the following: · Timing restrictions for tree clearing (as discussed previously) · Exclusion fencing, consisting of a silt fence (as discussed previously) · Presence of a qualified biologist to monitor activities when construction is occurring during the March 15-November 15 time frame The proposed pipeline easement does not contain any Natural Heritage Priority Sites. The nearest Priority Site is located approximately 0.75 miles south of the PSA and is valued for the presence of a federal listed plant species. 4.6.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no impacts to biological resources would occur.
4.7 Cultural Resources 4.7.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG No adverse effects to cultural resources are anticipated due to the implementation of Alternative 1. A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey completed for the proposed pipeline segment was submitted to NJPC (Walker et al., 2015). The survey did not identify artifacts eligible for Pinelands Designation or for listing in the NRHP, and the survey report recommends no further
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-10 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement archaeological or historic architectural survey investigations in the vicinity of the proposed easement within JB MDL. The report was reviewed and approved by the NJPC in a letter dated August 3, 2015. The boundary of the proposed easement would intersect one NRHP-eligible resource, the BOMARC site. The easement centerline is more than 0.25 miles from the core facilities of the Lighter-than-Air (LTA) Historic District and would not be visible from any of its contributing resources, including the Cathedral of the Air. Since construction of the proposed pipeline would not compromise the characteristics that make these historic resources eligible for the NRHP or Pinelands Designation, no further cultural resource investigations are recommended within or near the proposed easement area. JB MDL initiated Section 106 consultation with the NJHPO on December 12, 2016. JB MDL received SHPO concurrence that there would be no adverse effects of historic properties within the area of potential effect dated January 13, 2017. If archeological sites or cultural artifacts are inadvertently discovered during ground disturbing activities, NJNG would cease all disturbance activity and contact the JB MDL Installation Cultural Resource Manager, who would take necessary actions pursuant to the base Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP). The Phase I Cultural Resource Survey also determined low potential for Native American remains and cultural objects (Walker et al., 2015). However, if Native American remains or cultural objects should be encountered at the site from ground disturbing activities (i.e., construction activities, wind erosion, water erosion) or normal operations, NJNG would be required to immediately cease all construction activity. NJNG would secure the site, contact the JB MDL Cultural Resources Manager, the New Jersey SHPO, and the federally recognized tribes with cultural affiliations to the proposed site per the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 USC §3001 et. seq.), and in accordance with the approved Standard Operating Procedure contained in the JB MDL ICRMP. 4.7.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no effects to cultural resources would be anticipated as land disturbance or construction would not occur.
4.8 Energy and Infrastructure 4.8.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG The proposed pipeline is designed and would be constructed in a manner that would minimize, if not eliminate, potential impact to existing infrastructure. Alternative 1 includes the installation of 10.44 miles of 30-inch, X60, 0.5-inch wall pipe on JB MDL property, and the installation of three valve locations, each of which would be sited on an approximately 625 square feet fenced-in gravel pad. The pipe would be installed with a minimum cover of 4 feet. The majority of the proposed pipeline segment would be located within and adjacent to existing paved and gravel roadways, and a small section, approximately 800 feet, would be located within open and forested land. No wastewater would be generated and no impact to wastewater treatment facilities is expected. The overall design and construction plan would be reviewed by JB MDL to ensure that the systems comply with Air Force regulations and other base requirements. Alternative 1 would not negatively affect existing energy resources on JB MDL. However, the Proposed Action would improve resiliency and supply assurance of the natural gas system that serves JB MDL as described in Section 1.2.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-11 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
4.8.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL. As no changes to JB MDL energy and infrastructure would occur, no improvements to energy resiliency and supply assurance for JB MDL would occur and JM BDL would continue to be limited to a single primary natural gas supply to service.
4.9 Materials and Wastes
4.9.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Overall, Alternative 1 would have minor impacts on regional material supplies and would produce minor amounts of waste from construction activities. Primary construction materials would include 30-inch, X60, 0.500-inch wall steel pipe. These materials are readily available from multiple sources. Whenever heavy equipment is operated, there is potential for inadvertent spills or leaks of fuel or hydraulic oil. The potential for spills or leaks would be minimized by implementation of the sustainable operations and BMPs described in Section 2.3.3. No excess waste material or hazardous waste is anticipated to be generated as a result of the construction, operation, or maintenance of the pipeline or ROW. Drilling fluid utilized for the HDD installation of the pipeline, which is not classified as a wastewater, will be recycled. Drilling fluids that cannot be recycled because of the excessive build-up of ultrafine particles would be transported off-site to an approved location for disposal. 4.9.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no materials would be purchased or waste generated as the proposed pipeline would not be installed.
4.10 Traffic and Noise
4.10.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Implementation of Alternative 1 would result in the minor and short-term increase in construction related traffic and noise within the PSA. The majority of the proposed easement is located within the fenced-in perimeter of JB MDL in an area not widely used or traversed by vehicular traffic. During construction, access would be maintained at all times for emergency vehicles, and traffic control plans would be designed in conjunction with JB MDL to provide adequate workspace for both construction and the safety of construction crews and the public. Construction activities would be limited to hours of operation approved by JB MDL. Vehicle traffic is not expected to increase following completion of construction as a result of operation or maintenance of the pipeline. Construction of the pipeline segment on JB MDL would also cause a minor and temporary increase in construction related noise. These increases would occur in areas not heavily used by base personnel and would not impact residential or commercial neighborhoods located outside of the PSA. Following construction of the pipeline segment, all roadways would be restored to their preexisting conditions and there would be no restrictions on traffic. During operation of the proposed below-ground pipeline, JB MDL does not anticipate an increase to current noise levels.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-12 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
4.10.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and no adverse impacts to traffic and noise would occur.
4.11 Socioeconomics
4.11.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG Implementation of Alternative 1 would result in minor short-term beneficial impacts to the local economy from construction activities, including NJNG use of regional contractors and the purchase of materials from local suppliers and businesses to the extent practicable and available. 4.11.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and there would be no impacts to jobs or the local economy.
4.12 Health and Safety
4.12.1 Effects of Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG No significant adverse impacts to health and safety are anticipated from Alternative 1. NJNG designed the proposed pipeline to the most stringent pipeline codes and standards. NJNG would adhere to all pipeline safety regulations administered by the NJBPU (Reliability and Security Division; Pipeline Safety Department), and the proposed construction would comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. In addition, the following safety measures would be implemented to ensure that the pipeline is properly operating and maintained to ensure public safety: · The pipeline would be monitored 24/7 from NJNG’s Gas Control room. · Remote controlled valves would be installed outside of the restricted JB MDL area on both sides of the easement. · A corrosion protection system would be installed. · Physical inspection patrols conducted via ground vehicles would be performed monthly. · Periodic in-line inspections utilizing “smart-pigs” would be conducted. · Annual leak surveys would be performed. · As part of the New Jersey One-Call process, NJNG reviews all projects that initiate a utility mark-out that identify their transmission facilities as being in close proximity to the proposed excavation. If the proposed third-party project presents an issue that exposes a NJNG facility to risk, a NJNG stand-by crew is dispatched to verify that One-Call safety procedures are followed to locate the pipe and that the construction work around the pipe proceeds in an appropriate and safe manner. In the event that the NJNG facility cannot be easily located, the stand-by crew would assist in the locating process. · Periodic drills and training would be held with first responders.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-13 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Contaminated sites were identified in proximity to the PSA. With the exception of the two groundwater plumes discussed in Section 3.5.7, the proposed pipeline segment would be located away from known contaminated sites and would not pose a risk to human health. The regulated contaminated groundwater plumes in Area C are located several hundred feet from the PSA, and the general direction of groundwater flow is away from the PSA (JB MDL, 2016). However, unregulated PFCs have recently been identified in the soil and groundwater more than 500-feet from the PSA near Site 16 and Site 17 (see Appendix G – Figure 1). Based on the relative distance between the PSA and PFC impacted soil, there is no anticipated PFC impact to the soil within the PSA. However, based on the current information, it cannot be determined if PFC contaminated groundwater would be encountered within the PSA. The USAF will continue to follow CERCLA guidance in its systematic approach for addressing PFCs including but not limited to PFOS and PFOA on JB MDL. The proposed pipeline would be installed with a minimum cover of 4 feet, resulting in a nominal trench depth of 7 feet for the majority of the pipeline. At locations where the pipeline crosses under existing utilities, trench excavation could be as deep as 10 to 13 feet, depending on the depth of the existing utility. The pipeline would be installed at a depth of between 17 to 20 feet in locations were HDD methods are utilized and approximately 10 feet when conventional bore is utilized. Construction of the proposed SRL Project within the vicinity of PFC contaminated groundwater area would occur during the dry period, if practicable, when shallow groundwater levels are lower and less likely to be encountered during trenching. If groundwater should be encountered during construction, it would be sampled, analyzed, and handled appropriately according to NJDEP and Air Force procedures. The contaminated groundwater plume in Area I/J overlaps with the PSA. Well sampling has shown that the depth to contamination is primarily 50 to 70 feet below ground surface and that there is no contamination in the shallow groundwater where pipeline construction would occur. As such, contamination from Area I/J is not anticipated to be encountered during construction. During construction, each crew would have personnel who have received OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER training and there would be strict adherence to an approved project-specific Health and Safety Plan. In the event that contaminants are encountered, the JB MDL Hazardous Waste Manager would be contacted, who would then notify NJDEP, and the media would be disposed of appropriately. While not in a “sweep required” area, UXO could still be encountered. A pre-construction safety brief would be provided by the JB MDL Safety Office to the construction team outlining how to recognize UXO and the steps to follow. A UXO expert would be available during the times when construction activities are occurring. If UXO is discovered, all work would cease, workers would muster at an off-site location, and the discovery would be handled appropriately by the UXO expert and reported immediately to the base Dispatch Office. 4.12.2 Effects of Alternative 2 – No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the USAF would not enter into an easement agreement with NJNG. NJNG would not construct the pipeline segment within JB MDL and there would be no impact to health and safety.
4.13 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources An irreversible commitment of resources is defined as the loss of future options. The term applies primarily to the effects of using nonrenewable resources such as minerals or cultural resources, or to those factors such as soil productivity that are renewable only over long periods. It could also apply to the loss of an experience as an indirect effect of a permanent change in the nature or character of the lands. An irretrievable commitment of resources is defined as the loss of production, harvest, or use of natural resources. The amount of
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-14 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement production foregone is irretrievable, but the action is not irreversible. If the use changes, it is possible to resume production. The Proposed Action would have an irreversible impact only on the areas where the pipeline would be installed. The majority of the pipeline segment would be installed within the road bed, and this existing use already precludes additional or alternate uses. The primary irretrievable impacts of the Proposed Action would involve the commitment of energy, labor, material, and funds, for the construction of the systems.
4.14 The Relationship between Local Short-Term Uses of the Human Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term Productivity The Proposed Action would commit resources in the form of energy, labor, materials, and funds for the foreseeable future. The justification for these commitments at this time is described in Chapter 1, Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action would provide JB MDL with energy reliability, which is critical for its operations, especially in emergency and crisis situations when the base is required to support communities in the region and around the country. This new natural gas supply would also serve future base projects, which may require adequate energy service.
4.15 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts During construction, unavoidable temporary and isolated, increases in short-term noise and air pollutant emissions within areas adjacent to the proposed easement would occur. Additionally, there would be temporary, isolated, and short-term increases in truck traffic to and from the site to deliver construction equipment and materials. As these adverse impacts would be unavoidable, temporary, and isolated, they are not analyzed further in this EA. Implementation of Alternative 1 would remove 0.42 acre of upland pine forest. This would remove a minor amount of forest habitat for forest birds and clearing would temporarily displace mammals at the site; however, this area consists of a fragmented patch of upland forest bounded by CR 547 to the east, Route 70 to the south, and JB MDL to the west. Targeted surveys conducted by DEC in 2015 found that the segment of upland forest where tree clearing would occur is not suitable habitat for T&E species other than potentially northern long eared bat. As an additional precaution, this project would only involve tree clearing between November 1 and March 31.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 4-15 5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
5. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND CONNECTED ACTIONS
5.1 Cumulative Impacts General Overview The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA requires the consideration of cumulative impacts as part of its process. A cumulative impact review was completed for JB MDL’s granting of the proposed easement with NJNG following NEPA requirements and addressing CEQ guidelines (CEQ, 1979). Cumulative impacts result from the incremental impact of a Proposed Action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that occur within the same timeframe and vicinity as the Proposed Action (40 CFR 1508.7). For this analysis, relevant actions (those that could result in cumulative impacts) and their Region of Influence (ROI) consist of the following: · Projects under the control of JB MDL that have been completed within the recent past, are currently under construction, or planned for the reasonably foreseeable future which are similar in nature, or in proximity to the proposed pipeline easement within JB MDL. This includes construction projects included in the previously prepared EA for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) at JB MDL (NAVAIR, 2016); and · Projects outside of the control of JB MDL which are located nearby in surrounding townships and are similar in nature (e.g., linear, involving ground disturbance, utilities and infrastructure) that have been completed within the recent past, are currently under construction, or planned for the reasonably foreseeable future. These projects could reasonably compete for resources or affect land use, airspace, air quality, geology and soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, energy and infrastructure, materials and waste, traffic and noise, socioeconomics, and health and safety. Table 5-1 provides a list of relevant past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects at JB MDL; their location; and resources most likely to be affected by their construction or operation. Table 5-2 provides a list of relevant past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects identified outside of JB MDL; their location; and resources most likely to be affected by their construction or operation.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Table 5-1 Past, Present, and Future Projects within JB MDL (Lakehurst Area)
Likely Resources Project Location Description Status Affected The CERDEC began construction Air Quality; Communications- on a new 138,000-square-foot Flight Airspace; Electronics Research Activity Facility (offices and hangars) Construction Biological Development and JB MDL, east of on Lakehurst adjacent to Maxfield completed in August Resources; Engineering Command Maxfield Field Field in 2014. Approximately 37 2017 Infrastructure; (CERDEC) Flight acres of forested land were cleared Land Use; Water Activity Facility for this project. Resources Air Quality; NAVAIR proposes to construct and conduct testing on an EAF test and Airspace; JB MDL, Lakehurst Final EA completed Biological NAVAIR EAF evaluation platform adjacent to the Test Runway in May 2016 Resources; Lakehurst Test Runway within JB Infrastructure; MDL. Land Use This facility was completed in 2015 and houses the Army Aviation group Air Quality; New Jersey Army JB MDL, Mat 3, that relocated from the Lakehurst Construction Airspace; National Guard Army Maxfield Field Maxfield Field Hangar. No increase completed in 2015 Infrastructure; Aviation Support Facility of aviation activities is associated Noise with this new facility.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-2 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Likely Resources Project Location Description Status Affected Proposal to create a test facility equipped to integrate, test, and evaluate deck handling systems operating on a Carrier Flight Deck. The ADHaTEC would include four separate areas: 1) Test Site Control building, which would include test site data storage, office space, and debrief space; 2) Ground Vehicle Advanced Deck JB MDL, Lakehurst Storage Facility; 3) Workshop; and Begin testing no Handling Technology Test Runway and Infrastructure; 4) Flight Deck testing areas. The later than fiscal year Evaluation Center former Outdoor Land Use Test Site Control building would 2017 (ADHaTEC) Engine Test Site provide office space for 10 test site personnel, test data storage, and test debrief conference rooms. The storage facility would store vehicles, allow charge of spare batteries, store minor amounts of fuel (5 to 10 gallons), and allow performance of maintenance and repairs. Testing would be ground-based only. The Proposed Action is to manage airfield vegetation in a manner that complies with the AFI 91-202 grass height standard (maintaining grass McGuire Airfield height within 500 feet of an aircraft JB MDL McGuire EA initiated Biological Vegetation movement area at a height between Airfield November 2015 Resources Management EA 7 and 14 inches) while minimizing impact to state-listed threatened or endangered species to the extent practicable as required by AFI 32- 7064.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-3 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Likely Resources Project Location Description Status Affected The Proposed Action includes operational enhancement of Marine Aircraft Group 49 at JB MDL. The Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 (Headquarters) aviation mission at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, would end resulting in the transfer of 9 H-1 rotary wing aircrafts and 181 personnel to JB MDL. The Group currently has 145 EA initiated in personnel. The average daily September 2015. aircraft sorties would increase from Air Quality; Personnel and 16.24 to 19.24. The action would Airspace; Marine Air Group 49 aircraft transfer in JB MDL, Dix/McGuire expand the ramp/apron at the Infrastructure; Basing EA September 2016. existing Marine Aircraft Group 49 Noise; Water Construction helicopter operations facility (2.7 Resources planned prior to acres); demolish and reconstruct a fiscal year 2019. safety berm, Building 4427, and a ramp/apron for Army helicopter parking; and construct additional privately owned vehicle parking and a new taxiway (1.4 acres). New construction would occur on existing maintained lawn, resulting in no effect on grassland habitat. However, the impervious surface would be increased.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-4 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Likely Resources Project Location Description Status Affected CERDEC proposes to install and operate radio transmission equipment on 23 acres on the Lakehurst borrow site. The site would provide a fixed area for Airspace; CERDEC Radio signals transmission to replace Biological JB MDL, location Construction Receiving and current use of mobile vans. The site Resources; unknown Complete Transmission Site would use the same frequencies Infrastructure; and operate with existing staff. Land Use Aircraft receiving signals would fly off-shore; there would be no increase in air operations on JB MDL. JB MDL plans to provide 25-foot- Air Quality; New Shoulders on wide paved shoulders to each side JB MDL Aviation; Biological Runway 06/24 and of the Maxfield Field runways. This Planned Lakehurst/Maxfield Resources; 15/33 (Maxfield) would reduce potential for foreign Construction Field Infrastructure; Construction object damage and increase aircraft Water Resources safety.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-5 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Table 5-2 Past, Present, and Future Regional Projects
Project Location Description Status Likely Resources Affected Hovsons, Inc. proposes to redevelop the Heritage Minerals Site for the construction of 6,543 new housing units, 1 million square feet of commercial space, and 1 million square feet of industrial space. The Air Quality; Biological Resources; Heritage Minerals Manchester redevelopment area is located 0.5 Infrastructure; Land Use; Noise; Site Township, New mile from the proposed easement, Planning Phase Socioeconomics; Water Redevelopment Jersey southeast of N.J. Route 70 and Resources south of the Consolidated Rail Line, as well as on N.J. Route 37 north of the Consolidated Rail Line. The overall Heritage Minerals Tract redevelopment study area is approximately 3,822 acres. Ocean County Airport recently (March 2015) performed obstruction removal in the vicinity of Runway 6- 24. Approximately 80 acres of vegetative obstructions were topped or removed and tree crown reduction was performed in approximately 75 Ocean County percent of the project area. Where Berkeley Air Quality; Airspace; Biological Airport tree removal was implemented, Township, New Completed Resources; Health and Safety Obstruction minimal ground disturbance Jersey Removal occurred. This project, conducted in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and a 2012 Memorandum of Agreement between the Pinelands Commission and Ocean County, augmented airport safety while minimizing disruptions to wildlife habitation.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-6 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Project Location Description Status Likely Resources Affected In February of 2014, Ocean County Airport completed construction of the Crosswind Runway (14-32) which was the first new runway to be constructed in New Jersey since 1983. The 3,600-foot asphalt runway project is the result of a years-long collaborative effort on the part of the Air Quality; Airspace; Geology County of Ocean, the Federal Ocean County and Soils; Water Resources; Berkeley Aviation Administration, the Airport Crosswind Biological Resources; Cultural Township, New Pinelands Commission, and other Completed Runway (14-32) Resources; Energy and Jersey stakeholders. The project Construction Infrastructure; Materials and incorporated several environmentally Waste; Health and Safety protective measures including the construction of snake habitats and the transplantation of the rare flowering plant, the Sickle-Leaved Golden Aster, away from the project area. The runway has greatly improved safety for pilots of smaller aircraft.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-7 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Project Location Description Status Likely Resources Affected Outside of JB MDL, the SRL Project would include the construction, operation and maintenance of approximately 18.6 miles of new natural gas pipeline to serve Monmouth, Ocean, and Burlington County customers. The proposed Chesterfield, pipeline would cross a variety of land Air Quality; Geology and Soils; North Hanover, uses and natural resources including Water Resources; Biological Upper Freehold, public roadways, residential Resources; Land Use; Cultural Southern Plumsted, properties, forested areas, Resources; Energy and Reliability Link Planning Phase Jackson, and agricultural lands, Infrastructure; Materials and (SRL) Manchester preserved/conserved lands, Waste; Traffic and Noise; townships, New floodplains, streams, wetlands, and Socioeconomics; Health and Jersey sensitive species habitat. The Safety preferred route alignment, however, would occur predominantly within existing ROW, approximately 28 miles of the 29.5 miles of the proposed SRL Project would be located within existing disturbed road ROW. Chesterfield Township is planning the construction of an emergency Air Quality; Land Use; Materials response center on a previously Emergency Chesterfield and Waste; Traffic and Noise; disturbed former school site. The Planning Phase Response Center Township Socioeconomics; Health and site is non-forested and does not Safety contain wetlands or sensitive habitats. Air Quality; Geology and Soils; Plumsted Township is planning the Land Use; Water Resources; construction of a wastewater Biological Resources; Cultural Wastewater Plumsted treatment plant on an undeveloped Planning Phase Resources; Energy and Treatment Plant Township parcel of land which historically has Infrastructure; Materials and been partially cleared and used for Waste; Traffic and Noise; agriculture. Socioeconomics
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-8 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
5.2 Cumulative Impacts under Alternative 1 – Grant Pipeline Easement to NJNG
5.2.1 Land Use Alternative 1 would have minor to negligible impacts on land use. The proposed easement with NJNG is located almost entirely within or adjacent to existing roadways, in previously disturbed and maintained roadside areas, or in previously cleared land. A total of 0.42 acre of upland forest would be permanently cleared and maintained as open land for the 10-foot wide operational ROW. Similarly, the construction of the three valve sites would require the conversion of approximately 1,875 square feet of herbaceous land to gravel. The existing roadways would continue to be used for base traffic following construction. The following other JB MDL projects identified in Table 5-1 could cumulatively contribute to adverse land use impacts: · The planned NAVAIR EAF would occupy 16 acres when completed and disturb 85 acres during construction within the Test Runway Area of JB MDL. Land use would not be changed by the project, as this area is already designated for Navy testing and evaluation activities and infrastructure on JB MDL. The EAF would consist of movable mat panels that could easily be removed if no longer needed. Therefore, no permanent changes would be made to the land use except for changes to topography and fill material used to achieve a level surface for the EAF. · NAVAIR’s Advanced Deck Handling Technology Evaluation Center (ADHaTEC) program would use existing buildings and structures at the former Outdoor Engineer Test Site. These facilities would be shared between the EAF and ADHaTEC personnel as needed. Cumulatively, both programs would continue to use land for research and development in support of naval aviation. · Communications-Electronics Research Development and Engineering Command (CERDEC) began construction of a new 138,000-square-foot Flight Activity Facility for offices and hangars in 2014. Approximately 37 acres of forested land were cleared for this project. In addition, the planned CERDEC Radio Receiving and Transmission Site would result in a change of land use from sand pit to a research and development antenna site. Cumulatively, this increases the land available for research and development and consolidates it within the western portion of Lakehurst. The following regional (non-JB MDL) projects identified in Table 5-2 could cumulatively contribute to adverse land use impacts: · Land developer Hovsons, Inc. proposes to redevelop a former mining site for residential and mixed retail land use (MCP, 2016). Manchester Township’s Heritage Minerals Tract Redevelopment Study Area is located approximately 0.5 mile from the proposed JB MDL pipeline easement near the southeast portion of JB MDL. Land use could change from open, forested and former industrial to residential, commercial, and industrial land use. Although this project is still in the planning phase, Hovsons, Inc. proposes construction of 6,543 new housing units, 1 million square feet of commercial space, and 1 million square feet of industrial space. The overall Heritage Minerals Tract Redevelopment Study Area is approximately 3,822 acres. · The proposed SRL Project would extend from Chesterfield Township to Manchester Township, surrounded predominantly by agricultural lands. The proposed pipeline would be approximately 29.5 miles in length, of which NJNG would locate 10.5 miles of the
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-9 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
preferred alignment on JB MDL property. Land use impacts would be minor and temporary from trenching activities and temporary road closures. Temporarily disturbed areas would be graded, revegetated, and restored to pre-existing conditions following construction thus maintaining their existing land use. Permanent impacts would occur to forested uses within the proposed operational ROW (< 1 total acre); and no construction of permanent structures or planting of woody vegetation would be allowed within the permanent 10-foot wide ROW following construction of the proposed SRL Project. An Alternatives Analysis was prepared and submitted to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). The project has been designed such that the pipeline and associated construction workspace is largely located within existing roads and associated ROW minimizing impacts to both the natural and human environment. The route has been designated by the NJBPU and is currently under review by the NJDEP. The project has been reviewed and approved by the Burlington County, Freehold and Ocean County SCD, and the NJPC has issued a Certificate of Filing for the Project. · Current land use and zoning of the sites for the proposed emergency response center and wastewater treatment are not known, however, it is assumed proposed uses of these parcels would be compatible with township planning initiatives and surrounding agricultural, residential, and rural land uses. Overall, the cumulative land use impacts from granting the pipeline easement within JB MDL in combination with other projects on JB MDL and projects identified in the region would be minor. Conversion of land use to permanent utility easement associated with the proposed SRL Project, changes to land use at the proposed emergency response center site and proposed wastewater treatment plant site, and the conversion of portions of industrial land near JB MDL to residential and mixed commercial would cause an incremental cumulative impact of land use conversion. All projects would be in compliance with county master planning, Pinelands Commission regulations, and JB MDL master planning (as applicable). 5.2.2 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Alternative 1 would result in direct, short-term minor adverse impacts resulting from fugitive dust emissions caused by construction activities. NJNG would reduce emissions by implementing fugitive dust control measures (water suppression) and BMPs. The timing of construction activities for JB MDL projects identified in Table 5-1 may occur during the same timeframe as NJNG’s construction of the pipeline within the JB MDL proposed easement. JB MDL projects involving construction that could impact air quality include NAVAIR’s EAF, the operational enhancement of Marine Air Group 49, and construction of new shoulders on runways 06/24 and 15/33. Emissions would be temporary, limited to the period of construction, and would include typical construction vehicle-related emissions of VOCs, CO, NOx, SO2, and PM. The increase of aviation operations associated with the EAF, Marine Air Group 49, and the off- base Ocean County Airport improvements would result in minor, regional, long-term emissions of criteria pollutants. Regional (non-JB MDL) construction projects identified in Table 5-2 could cumulatively contribute to adverse air quality impacts. Construction of the proposed Heritage Minerals Site Redevelopment, the proposed emergency response center, off-Base portion of the SRL, and wastewater treatment plant would produce temporary emissions similar in nature to those described for the JB MDL construction projects above. Overall, the cumulative air quality impacts from granting the pipeline easement within JB MDL in combination with other projects on JB MDL and projects identified in the region would be less than significant. Construction activities would result in temporary, short-term emissions.
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Although it is unlikely that construction activities would occur simultaneously, construction- related emissions are not anticipated to exceed state regulatory thresholds. Operational emissions would be in compliance with the New Jersey State Implementation Plan (SIP) which outlines measures for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the state. No incremental cumulative emissions are anticipated which would exceed state-established thresholds. The cumulative greenhouse gas impacts from granting the pipeline easement within JB MDL in combination with the other projects would be negligible. Although construction activities of the proposed pipeline and nearby projects would produce greenhouse gas emissions that remain in the atmosphere and have a cumulative effect, those emissions would be short-term and minimal. Since it is unlikely that construction activities would occur simultaneously, construction greenhouse gas emissions are anticipated to be less than significant. Operational emissions from the valves and compressor station would result in negligible impacts to greenhouse gases; therefore the project’s operational contribution to cumulative greenhouse gas concentrations would be negligible. 5.2.3 Geography, Topography, and Soils Alternative 1 would result in minor and temporary impact to soils and no impact to farmland. The majority of potential effects to geological resources from construction of the pipeline within the proposed easement within JB MDL are short term, limited in geographic extent, and associated with the construction phase. NJNG would minimize impacts to soils through implementation of the approved Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (SESC) Plans (SCD# 17519, certification date: November 25, 2015) to avoid topsoil mixing, compaction, and erosion. Other projects within JB MDL that could impact geological, topographical, and soil resources include NAVAIR’s EAF Project, the operational enhancement of Marine Air Group 49, construction of new shoulders on runways 06/24 and 15/33, and construction of the CERDEC Flight Activity Facility. Projects involving establishment of impervious surface would result in the permanent loss of soil resources. Off base, construction of the proposed Heritage Minerals Site Redevelopment, the proposed SRL Project, the proposed emergency response center, and the wastewater treatment plants could have adverse effects to geological resources. This includes temporary adverse impacts to soil resources during construction and permanent loss of soils in areas where impervious surfaces are established. The presence of PFCs, including but not limited to PFOA and PFOS, was identified in the soil on JB MDL. Based on the relative distance between the PSA and the delineated PFC impacted soils, there is no anticipated impact as a result of the Project. However, based on the current information, it cannot be determined if other projects on base or off base will have a cumulative impact on PFC contaminated soils. Overall, the cumulative impacts to geological resources from granting the pipeline easement within JB MDL in combination with other projects on JB MDL and projects identified in the region would be minor. Although most of the projects are in preliminary planning stages and acreage of soil disturbance is not known, most projects would be sited within or adjacent to previously disturbed areas minimizing the extent of impacts to geological resources. Impacts would be further minimized through use of BMPs and implementation of approved SESC Plans. 5.2.4 Water Resources Alternative 1 would have no direct impacts to water resources as the alignment of the proposed pipeline easement was developed to avoid wetlands and waterways to the maximum extent
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-11 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement practical by co-locating the proposed easement within or adjacent to existing roadways. In addition, HDD techniques and tunneling under existing culverts would be utilized to further avoid direct impacts to wetlands and waterways. Temporary earth disturbance impacts and potential for sedimentation during construction would be minimized by implementation of measures in the approved SESC Plans (SCD# 17519, certification date: November 25, 2015). The presence of PFCs, including but not limited to PFOA and PFOS, was identified in the groundwater on JB MDL in a well more than 500-feet from the PSA near Site 16 and Site 17 (see Appendix G – Figure 1). Based on the current information, it cannot be determined if the PSA or other projects on base or off base will have a cumulative impact on PFC contaminated groundwater. Construction of the proposed SRL Project within the vicinity of PFC contaminated groundwater area would occur during the dry period, if practicable, when shallow groundwater levels are lower and less likely to be encountered during trenching. If groundwater should be encountered during construction, it would be sampled, analyzed, and handled appropriately according to NJDEP and Air Force procedures. 5.2.5 Biological Resources Alternative 1 would result in minor and short-term disturbance of existing vegetation and wildlife during site preparation and construction. The proposed JB MDL pipeline segment is located within predominately previously disturbed roadside areas and open land adjacent to developed areas, minimizing potential for impacts. The following other JB MDL projects identified in Table 5-1 could cumulatively contribute to adverse impacts on biological resources: · The CERDEC Flight Activity Facility. This project involved recent clearing of approximately 37 acres of forested land on JB MDL in accordance with the Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP). · Expansion of the Maxfield Field runway shoulders. This project would reduce grassland bird habitat by 11.2 acres (JB MDL, 2014). · Installation of the Radio Receiving and Transmission site. This project would result in the conversion of approximately 4.6 acres from barren sand to potential grassland habitat or open land. · Installation of the NAVAIR EAF. This project involves construction and use of an EAF test and evaluation platform adjacent to the Lakehurst Test Runway which could provide foraging habitat for the Northern Pine Snake (state-threatened). The following regional (non-JB MDL) projects identified in Table 5-2 could cumulatively contribute to adverse impacts on biological resources: · The Heritage Minerals Site Redevelopment would involve construction of 2,450 housing units for the Heritage Minerals Site Redevelopment Project on 1,000 previously disturbed acres. As part of an agreement with the USEPA, over 6,300 acres would be protected, including sensitive endangered species habitat, from future development (MCP, 2016). Hovsons, Inc. is currently proposing to modify this agreement to construct 6,543 units on 3,822 acres with no mention of protecting threatened or endangered species habitat. The scale of the proposed project is still in the planning phase. Until more information is determined on the extent and location of construction, it is difficult to determine the cumulative impact on biological resources associated with the Heritage Minerals Site Redevelopment Project. Overall impacts would likely be less than
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-12 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
significant through use of BMPs and implementation of mitigation measures, as required by regulatory agencies. · The Ocean County Airport projects involved disturbance to and clearing of forested habitat with the potential to disturb sensitive species. Overall impacts, however, were less than significant. As stated in Table 5-2, the Crosswind Runway project included the construction of snake habitats and the transplantation of the rare flowering plant, the Sickle-Leaved Golden Aster, away from the project area. · The proposed SRL Project would involve temporary disturbances to habitat and wildlife during construction and permanent conversion of forested areas (< 1 acre total) within the vicinity of JB MDL. Overall adverse impacts, however, have been minimized by siting the proposed pipeline within existing disturbed areas. NJNG would locate approximately 28 miles of the preferred alignment’s 29.5 miles within existing ROW, minimizing the extent of adverse impacts. · The proposed emergency response center and wastewater treatment plant would be located on predominantly disturbed or agricultural land, avoiding potential for significant impacts to biological resources. Overall, the cumulative impacts on biological resources from granting the pipeline easement within JB MDL in combination with other projects on JB MDL and projects identified in the region would be less than significant. During construction of these proposed projects, the frequent presence of people and heavy equipment (and associated construction noise) plus the removal of the trees and disturbance to previously undisturbed land would likely have the temporary impact of discouraging wildlife from returning to the site during construction. Permanent loss of habitat would occur in developed areas or in locations of permanent habitat conversion (e.g., forest removal). Additionally, other project locations (on and off base) in the area have had confirmed Northern Pine Snake sightings. Because the range for these snakes can be several miles and the numbers of snakes potentially affected is unknown, it is difficult to quantify the cumulative effects of these projects. Despite proper construction management measures, the cumulative impact of these projects would likely include minor displacement or inadvertent temporary interruptions to travel routes for some snakes during the construction phase. 5.2.6 Cultural Resources Alternative 1 would not adversely affect historic properties eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Therefore, Alternative 1 would not adversely contribute to cumulative impacts to historic or archeological resources. 5.2.7 Energy and Infrastructure Alternative 1 would add needed natural gas pipeline infrastructure to increase the reliability of NJNG’s system that supplies JB MDL. The proposed NAVAIR EAF project at JB MDL would add needed infrastructure to facilitate testing of EAF mat and related systems on the East Coast of the U.S. The proposed ADHaTEC program would foster the renovation of existing facilities at the former Outdoor Engine Test Site on Lakehurst and would share infrastructure with the EAF team. In 2015, NAVAIR worked closely with JB MDL to initiate and complete the removal of obsolete buildings, equipment, fuel tanks, and fuel piping on the Outdoor Test Site. This resulted in the permanent removal of fuel infrastructure that could have posed a risk to the environment.
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Other construction projects at JB MDL such as the CERDEC Flight Activity Facility and Radio Receiving and Transmission Site would add research and development infrastructure to Lakehurst, increasing the potential for sharing of facilities or technology during test events. The proposed wastewater treatment plant would improve regional water treatment and the proposed SRL Project would provide an additional and redundant natural gas supply to Monmouth, Ocean, and Burlington County customers. Cumulatively, there would be positive impacts on infrastructure condition and use at JB MDL and within the region. 5.2.8 Materials and Waste Alternative 1 would have minor impacts on regional material supplies and would produce minor amounts of waste from construction activities. Depending on timing for construction of the proposed easement and other projects in the ROI identified in Tables 5-1 and 5-2, there may be minor, short-term cumulative impacts on availability of construction materials. 5.2.9 Traffic and Noise Alternative 1 could result in temporary cumulative adverse impacts associated with construction vehicle traffic at the gate on Route 547 and along base roads. Other construction projects on Lakehurst could also add to the temporary cumulative impacts of construction vehicles and truck traffic on and around Lakehurst. JB MDL maintains a separate contractor entrance approximately ½ mile from the main Base entrance. Use of the contractor entrance by construction vehicles would minimize traffic impacts at the main gate. Short-term noise effects during construction may cause birds and other wildlife to leave the area and seek quieter habitat both on and off the base. Other JB MDL projects within the ROI that would increase air traffic would have cumulative impacts on noise in the region (on and off base). Activities that would increase noise levels include the Army National Guard aircraft, and the proposed increase in Marine Air Group 49 air operations on McGuire Airfield. Off base, redevelopment of the proposed Heritage Minerals Site, emergency response center, and wastewater treatment plant would also increase noise effects over the short term and long term. Long-term adverse noise impacts would result from transforming unpopulated parcels to residential, commercial and industrial uses. Construction of the SRL Project would likely result in temporary road closures as NJNG would construct a majority of the proposed pipeline within the existing road ROW. Construction equipment for these projects would temporarily impact (increase) noise, however, impacts are typically reduced by restricting work to daylight hours near sensitive receptors such as residences. Overall, the cumulative impacts on traffic and to the noise environment from granting the pipeline easement within JB MDL, in combination with other projects on JB MDL and projects identified in the region, would be less than significant. 5.2.10 Socioeconomics Alternative 1 would result in minor short-term beneficial impacts to the local economy from construction activities, including NJNG use of regional contractors and the purchase of materials from local suppliers and businesses to the extent practicable and available. It is assumed that construction of the other projects listed in Tables 5-1 and 5-2 would provide benefits to the local economy. Construction of the proposed SRL Project would involve approximately $180 million
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-14 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement in spending for employment of regional contractors for site preparation, installation and from the purchase of materials from local suppliers and businesses. In addition, the proposed Heritage Minerals Site Redevelopment would add housing options to the region and offer new space for commercial and industrial development; all of which could provide long-term benefits to regional socioeconomic conditions. The proposed emergency response center would improve emergency response efforts. Overall, granting of the pipeline easement within JB MDL would have an overall beneficial socioeconomic effect. In addition, granting of the easement, in combination with other projects on JB MDL and projects identified in the region would be beneficial. 5.2.11 Health and Safety No significant adverse impacts to health and safety are anticipated from Alternative 1. Effects on reliability and public safety would be alleviated through the use of the Department of Transportation Minimum Federal Safety Standards in 49 CFR 192, which are intended to protect the public and to avert natural gas facility mishaps and failures. In addition, construction contractors would be required to observe the OSHA Safety and Health Regulations for Construction in 29 CFR 1926. No cumulative impacts on safety and reliability are anticipated to occur as a result of the proposed easement.
5.3 Cumulative Impacts under Alternative 2 (No Action Alternative) Under the No Action Alternative, JB MDL would not grant the proposed pipeline easement through JB MDL and the pipeline within JB MDL would not exist. No cumulative impacts to the resources identified in Section 5.2 would be anticipated under the No Action Alternative.
5.4 Connected Actions The proposed SRL pipeline segment on JB MDL would be part of the larger 29.5-mile NJNG SRL project that would extend from an interconnect with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County and would tie into an existing NJNG pipeline in Manchester Township in Ocean County (see Figure 14). Municipalities crossed by the entire SRL project include Chesterfield Township and North Hanover Township in Burlington County, NJ; Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County, NJ; and Plumsted Township, Jackson Township, and Manchester Township in Ocean County, NJ. As with construction on JB MDL, the larger SRL project has been designed to minimize disturbances wherever possible by locating the pipeline almost entirely within existing roadways or previously disturbed, maintained roadside ROW or through HDD construction methods. Table 5-3 provides a summary of the temporary and permanent disturbances to all regulated areas associated with the entire SRL project. Permanent impacts are associated with tree clearing as a result of a permanent 10-foot wide cleared and maintained ROW (easement) above the pipe, and the construction and operation of one above ground valve site. Temporary disturbance would occur as a result of the construction and installation of the pipeline, soil stockpiling, HDD drill pad locations, equipment and material storage, and construction equipment and vehicle access. On February 24, 2017, the NJDEP granted NJNG a CAFRA Individual Permit, Freshwater Wetlands General Permit #2, and Water Quality Certificate for the portion of the proposed SRL Project located within CAFRA jurisdiction. This permit authorizes construction of the 0.680 mile portion of the SRL project located within CAFRA jurisdiction. In addition, this permit authorizes the permanent disturbance of 0.021 acres of freshwater wetlands and 0.170 acres of freshwater wetland transition area, and temporary disturbance of 0.378 acres of freshwater wetlands and 5.54 acres of freshwater wetland transition area under a Freshwater Wetlands General Permit
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-15 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
#2. All work associated with the proposed SRL project would be conducted under the authority of these approved permits and the conditions set forth by the governing agencies. Coordination with the NJPC is ongoing.
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Table 5-3. Temporary and Permanent Disturbance within Regulated Areas by the Larger SRL Project Area Burlington, Monmouth, & Ocean Counties, New Jersey
Permanent Disturbance Temporary Disturbance (square feet) (square feet)
Wetland Wetland Pipeline Facility Freshwater Riparian Riparian Transition Transition Wetlands Zone CAFRA Freshwater Zone CAFRA Area Zone Wetlands Area Zone (PFO) (Forested) (Forested) (PEM) (PEM) Pipeline 2,720 sq. 6,041 27,138 sq. 35,766 sq. 10' Right-of-Way 620 sq. ft. 0 372 sq. ft. 0 1 ft. sq. ft. ft. ft. 2,487 sq. 31,102 16,075 sq. 21,4340 110,648 sq. Temporary Workspace 310 sq. ft. 0 2,854 sq. ft. ft. sq. ft. ft. sq. ft. ft. Valve 2,198 sq. 2,568 Valve Pad 0 0 0 0 0 0 ft. sq. ft. 7,405 sq. 39,711 16,450 sq. 241,478 146,414 sq. 930 sq. ft. 0 sq. ft. 2,854 sq. ft. ft. sq. ft. ft. sq. ft. ft. TOTAL 0.021 0.170 0.000 0.912 0.038 5.54 0.066 acres 3.361 acres acres acres acres acres acres acres Notes: 1 10-foot Permanent ROW within the CAFRA Zone is to be restored to previous conditions, and therefore, is displayed as a temporary disturbance. PFO = Palustrine Forested; all permanent impacts to Palustrine Forested wetlands will result in the conversion of the impacted area to a Palustrine Emergent wetland for a 10-foot wide maintained cleared ROW. PEM = Palustrine Emergent.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 5-0 6 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND CONCLUSIONS Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
6. COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND CONCLUSIONS
As a result of the implementation of Alternative 1 (Proposed Action, Granting an easement to NJNG that would allow NJNG to construct, operate, and maintain a segment of a proposed 30- inch natural gas pipeline that would traverse JB MDL [see Figure 2]), the following impacts would be anticipated: · Minor, short-term adverse air quality impacts due to increased mobile emissions and fugitive dust during construction; · Minor, short-term adverse impacts to soils due to potential soil and erosion control during construction. Impacts would be reduced by following the approved SESC Plan; · Positive long-term impact in the form of sustained reliable energy; · Minor, long-term impacts to vegetation as the project would permanently convert 0.42 acre of upland forest to herbaceous land; · Minor, short-term adverse impacts to biological resources within the construction ROW. These impacts would be eliminated following restoration; and · Minor, short-term safety hazards associated with the low potential to encounter contaminated groundwater. No impacts would be associated with Alternative 2, the No Action Alternative; however, this alternative would not meet the stated purpose and need of the Proposed Action. Under the No Action Alternative, JB MDL would not be supplied with energy reliability, which is critical for its operations, especially in emergency and crisis situations when the base is required to support communities in the region and around the country, nor would JB MDL gain the additional gas service to serve future base projects. Based on the analysis presented in this EA, Alternative 1 is the Preferred Alternative as it satisfies the purpose and need for the Proposed Action. This EA concludes that, with the adherence to sustainable operations and BMPs presented in Section 2.3.3, no significant impacts would occur as a result of the implementation of the Preferred Alternative. This analysis determines that an Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary for the implementation of Alternative 1 and that a Finding of No Significant Impact is appropriate.
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Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
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Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 7-6 8 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
8. LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
JB MDL Contributors Ms. Alice Good, Chief, Environmental and Real Property Law Mr. Joseph Rhyner (PE), Chief, Environmental Element Mr. Robert Previte, Compliance Chief, Environmental Element Mr. John Joyce, Natural and Cultural Resources Manager, Environmental Element Mr. Anthony Becker, Biological Scientist, Environmental Element
AECOM Contributors Mr. Bryan Pariseault (PE), Project Manager Mr. Barry Baker, Environmental Services Department Manager
Potomac-Hudson Engineering, Inc. Contributors Mr. Fred Carey (PE), President Mr. Robert Naumann, Environmental Scientist
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 8-1 9 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING LETTERS MAILING LIST
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
9. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING LETTERS MAILING LIST
Federal and Regional Agencies United States Fish and Wildlife Service New Jersey Field Office, Ecological Services 4 East Jimmie Leeds Road, Unit 4 Galloway, New Jersey 08205 Attn: ESA Consultation
United States Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Review Section Ms. Grace Musumeci Chief of Environmental Review EPA Region 2 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007-1866
State and Local Agencies New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Office of Permit Coordination and Environmental Review 401 East State Street Mail Code 401-07J P.O. Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625 Attn: Mr. John Gray, Deputy Chief of Staff
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office Mail Code 501-04B P.O. Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 Attn: Ms. Katherine Marcopul
New Jersey Historical Commission 225 West State Street P.O. Box 305 Trenton, NJ 08625 Attn: Ms. Sara Cureton, Acting Executive Director
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species Program Mail Code 501-03 P.O. Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 Attn: Mr. David Chanda, Director
New Jersey Pinelands Commission P.O. Box 359 15 Springfield Road New Lisbon, NJ 08064 Attn: Ms. Nancy Wittenberg, Executive Director
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 9-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Ocean County Soil and Water Conservation District 714 Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731 Attn: Kerry Jennings, Assistant District Director
Ocean County Department of Planning 129 Hooper Avenue P.O. Box 2191 Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 Attn: Mr. David J. McKeon, Planning Director
Ocean County Agricultural Development Board 129 Hooper Ave. PO Box 2191 Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 Attn: Mark A.C. Villinger, Principal Planner
Federally Recognized Tribes
Ms. Nekole Alligood Cultural Preservation Director Delaware Nation P.O. Box 825 Anadarko, OK 73005
Dr. Brice Obermeyer Delaware Tribe of Indians Roosevelt Hall, Room 212 1200 Commercial Street Emporia, KS 66801
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 9-2 10 PUBLIC DRAFT DISTRIBUTION LIST
Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
10. PUBLIC DRAFT DISTRIBUTION LIST
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Mr. Richard K. Shaw New Jersey Field Office, Ecological Services State Soil Scientist 4 East Jimmie Leeds Road, Unit 4 New Jersey State Office Galloway, New Jersey 08205 Natural Resources Conservation Service Attn: ESA Consultation 220 Davidson Avenue, 4th Floor Somerset, NJ 08873 United States Environmental Protection Agency Ocean County Department of Planning Environmental Review Section 129 Hooper Ave. Ms. Grace Musumeci PO Box 2191 Chief of Environmental Review Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 EPA Region 2 Attn: Mr. David J. McKeon, Planning Director 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007-1866 Planning Board of Burlington County 49 Rancocas Road New Jersey Department of Environmental P.O. Box 6000 Protection Mount Holly, NJ 0806 Office of Permit Coordination and Attn: Mr. Ted D'Annunzio, Chairperson Environmental Review 401 East State Street Burlington County Mail Code 401-07J Department of Resource Conservation P.O. Box 420 P.O. Box 6000 Trenton, NJ 08625 Mount Holly, NJ 08060 Attn: Mr. John Gray, Deputy Chief of Staff Attn: Ms. Mary Pat Robbie, Director
New Jersey Department of Environmental Burlington County Soil Conservation District Protection 1971 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road Historic Preservation Office Columbus, NJ 08022 Mail Code 501-04B Attn: Mr. Donald R. Knezick, Chairman P.O. Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 Delaware Nation Attn: Ms. Katherine Marcopul Mr. Kerry Holton President New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Delaware Nation Endangered and Nongame Species Program P.O. Box 825 Mail Code 501-03 Anadarko, OK 73005 P.O. Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 Delaware Nation Attn: Mr. David Chanda, Director Ms. Nekole Alligood Cultural Preservation Director New Jersey Pinelands Commission P.O. Box 825 P.O. Box 359 Anadarko, OK 73005 15 Springfield Road New Lisbon, NJ 08064 Delaware Tribe of Indians Attn: Ms. Nancy Wittenberg, Executive Director Mr. Chester Brooks Chief Ocean County Soil and Water Conservation Delaware Tribe of Indians District 170 North Barbara 714 Lacey Road Bartlesville, OK 74006 Forked River, NJ 08731 Attn: Ms. Christine Raabe, Director
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 10-1 Environmental Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Easement
Delaware Tribe of Indians Dr. Brice Obermeyer 1200 Commercial Street Roosevelt Hall, Room 212 Emporia, KS 66801
New Jersey Audubon Center for Research and Education David Mizrahi, Ph.D. Vice President for Research and Monitoring 600 Route 74 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
New Jersey Audubon Society 9 Hardscrabble Road Bernardsville, New Jersey 07924 Attn: Nellie Tsipoura
Pinelands Preservation Alliance 17 Pemberton Road Southampton NJ 08088 Attn: Carleton Montgomery, Executive Director
ADDITIONAL DRAFT FONSI/FONPA RECIPIENTS
Sierra Club - NJ Chapter 145 West Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618 Mr. Jeff Tittle, Director
Parker McKay 9000 Midlantic Drive Suite 300 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Mr. John C. Gillespie, Esq.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey October 2017 10-2