Environmental Assessment
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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 1 Period of Investigation and Key Investigators ............................................................................ 1 FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION ................................................... 2 Project Description...................................................................................................................... 2 Alternative Sites .......................................................................................................................... 2 Environmental Assessment ......................................................................................................... 3 (1) Effects, destruction and/or displacement of wildlife and marine life, including endangered species, and their habitats, or food chain ............................................................. 3 (2) Destruction or disturbance of marshland or wetlands ....................................................... 4 (3) Displacement of households, businesses, or services ....................................................... 5 (4) Possible destruction of surrounding farm land or the loss of open space land ................. 5 (5) Effects on land having archeological significance ............................................................ 6 (6) Destruction or disturbance of areas of historical significance .......................................... 6 (7) Use of irretrievable resources ............................................................................................ 7 (8) Noise.................................................................................................................................. 8 (9) Traffic circulation and traffic pattern disruption ............................................................... 8 (10) Odor/air quality ............................................................................................................... 9 (11) Damage and/or pollution of surface water resulting from erosion, discharges or other sources..................................................................................................................................... 9 (12) Aesthetic concerns and visual impacts .......................................................................... 10 (13) Any disturbance to designated wild, scenic and/or recreational river use .................... 10 (14) Socio-economic changes ............................................................................................... 10 (15) Floodplain impacts ........................................................................................................ 11 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 13 REFERENCES AND COMMUNICATIONS .............................................................................. 14 SITE ASSESSMENT DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATIONS ...................................................... 19 ATTACHMENT 1. PROJECT DESIGN PLAN AND MAPS ATTACHMENT 2. PHOTOGRAPHS ATTACHMENT 3. AGENCY CONSULTATIONS AND DATABASES ATTACHMENT 4. ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS ATTACHMENT 5. QUALIFICATIONS Project Number SEA 18-4999.1 ii INTRODUCTION Stokes Environmental Associates, Ltd. was authorized by Mr. Christopher A. Taylor, PE, Env Sp of Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson, to prepare a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Review in compliance with the requirements of the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund Program, in accordance with the requirements of the NEPA. Objectives The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the basic national charter for protection of the environment. Section 102(2) of NEPA requires federal agencies to act in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Act. Regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality, (40 CFR 1500) outline methods for evaluating compliance with the Act. Virginia Code sections 10.1-118 et seq. implement the applicable requirements of NEPA, for major state projects, and requires environmental investigation prior to constructing major projects. The Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund Program Design Manual provides details of the environmental investigation needed for projects receiving loan assistance under the program, in compliance with NEPA. The purpose of the following investigation is to provide the investigation required by the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund program in compliance with the requirements of NEPA. Period of Investigation and Key Investigators Investigation of the site was performed during the period of 24 April 2018 through 20 July 2018 as Stokes Environmental Associates, Ltd. (SEA, Ltd.), Project SEA 18-4999.1. The following Environmental Professionals performed this investigation: Mr. T. Lane Stokes, III was the Project Manager for this National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Investigation. Mr. Thomas L. Stokes, Jr. assisted in research and analysis, and provided technical review of this report. Project Number SEA 18-4999.1 1 FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION Project Description The City of Norfolk new sanitary sewer pump station is proposed for funding by the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund Program, to provide needed capacity in the service area in western Colonial Place in Norfolk, Virginia. The proposed site is located near the intersection of Llewellyn and 38th Street (see attached drawing). The pump station is to be constructed in the center of the northern half of a 0.3 acre, rectangular parcel of land owned by the City of Norfolk, consisting of a grass field surrounded by trees, just south of a stormwater pond. It is to include a raised platform at approximately 18 ft by 44 ft, with a 14 ft by 14 ft submersible pump house to be approximately 11 ft high and 6 ft deep into ground, and will include subsurface piping, reservoirs, and electric/utility connections. The landscaping is to be carried out by Norfolk Recreation, Parks, and Open Space (REPOS) staff, including planning and labor. Alternative Sites In order to meet the need for sanitary sewer capacity, minimal environmental impact, and optimal project feasibility, an analysis was conducted by Christopher A. Taylor, P. E., senior associate of Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc., which identified all potentially favorable alternative design options that would not result in displacement of private property or loss of essential public services. Further details on alternative site locations are included in the Appendix section of the report. The alternative sites included the following: Alternative A - Pump Station at Llewellyn Avenue & 38th Street (Proposed Site): This site is located within a grass field between Llewellyn Avenue and the building of former J. E. B. Elementary School (currently inactive). This option would occupy a small amount of space within the floodplain and negligible environmental impacts as described in this report. Alternative B - No Action: This option is a baseline which has no increased environmental impact. Compared to the other options, no land resources would be used. However, this alternative does not supply the needed capacity, which may have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Alternative C - Pump Station at Delaware Avenue and Llewellyn Avenue: This site is located in Colonial Place Greenway between a playground and Llewellyn Avenue. The environmental impacts of this option and their degree would be similar to the proposed option at Pump Station at Llewellyn Avenue and 38th Street. The site is within undeveloped floodplain area and would include some blocked view of open space, while the final landscaped pump station would improve the aesthetic quality of the open space area. The City of Norfolk mentioned concern regarding proximity of wetlands. The cost of this option is substantially higher, because this would require 1,160 feet of force main length (more than 7 times longer than the proposed site). The additional underground piping is undesirable for environmental reasons as well as the Project Number SEA 18-4999.1 2 incremental risk per increased linear foot of pipe. This alternative was not recommended based on cost and environmental concerns. Alternative D - Pump Station at the terminus of Maryland Avenue: This site is located on southeast corner of Virginia Avenue and Maryland Avenue. The site is within undeveloped floodplain area. The pump station would need to be exceedingly high in order to meet flood elevations, which would have substantial blocked view of open space and minor adverse unavoidable aesthetic impact on Colonial Place Greenway and residences. The City of Norfolk also expressed concern regarding the proximity to wetlands. Therefore this alternative was not recommended. Alternative E - Pump Station in Colonial Place Circle: This location is within a heavily landscaped traffic circle at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Colonial Avenue. This option would include substantial blocked view of open space, unmitigatable adverse aesthetic impact, and damage to the critical root zone of old-growth canopy trees. This area is central to the view from heavily trafficked public rights-of-way. This option does not use undeveloped floodplain resources. (The absence of floodplain with this