3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT D.C. TO RICHMOND SOUTHEAST HIGH SPEED RAIL 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT This chapter describes the existing social, economic, and environmental conditions present in the Washington, D.C. to Richmond High Speed Rail (DC2RVA) corridor to provide an understanding of the Project area relative to the effects of the alternatives evaluated in this Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It also identifies environmentally sensitive features in the Project corridor. As described in Chapter 2, the DC2RVA corridor has been subdivided into six alternative areas⎯ Arlington (Long Bridge Approach), Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg (Dahlgren Spur to Crossroads), Central Virginia (Crossroads to Doswell), Ashland (Doswell to I-295), and Richmond (I-295 to Centralia)⎯that correspond with proposed improvements and alternatives (Figure 3.0-1). At the northern terminus in Arlington, VA, the Project starts at the southern approach to Long Bridge, a double-track rail bridge that carries the rail corridor over the Potomac River and into Washington, D.C., where it connects to the southern terminus of the Northeast From north to south, the Project Corridor (NEC) at Union Station. Long Bridge and the tracks travels through the following continuing north of the bridge into Union Station are not a part towns, cities, and counties: of the DC2RVA project for environmental clearance purposes. Arlington County The southern terminus in Centralia is the junction of two CSX . City of Alexandria Transportation (CSXT) routes that begin in Richmond and rejoin . Fairfax County approximately 11 miles south of Richmond. At Centralia, the . Prince William County Project connects to both the Richmond to Raleigh section of the . Town of Dumfries Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) corridor and the Richmond . Town of Quantico to Hampton Roads section of the SEHSR corridor. Stafford County . City of Fredericksburg Additional sections of the Project include approximately 8.3 . Spotsylvania County miles of the CSXT Peninsula Subdivision CA-Line from . Caroline County Beulah Road in Henrico County, VA, to AM Junction in the . Hanover County City of Richmond, and the approximately 26-mile-long . Town of Ashland Buckingham Branch Railroad (BBR) from AM Junction to the . Henrico County Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad Railway . City of Richmond (RF&P) crossing in Doswell, VA. Chesterfield County For each resource inventoried in this chapter, the Virigina Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) defined a study area. The study areas differ from the alterantive areas described above, vary in size depending on the resource, and are typically centered about the existing rail or potential bypass alignment. The study areas for the human environment, noise, and air quality are larger than the natural environment boundaries. The larger study areas are defined by regions of influence in which a resource may potentially have noticeable project- related impacts. Regions of influence for human resources account for factors such as community sizes, geographical and political boundaries, and census boundaries. These human resources 3-1 TIER II DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Figure 3.0-1: Alternative Areas 3-2 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT include social and economic issues, community resources, and land use planning. The air quality study area is influenced by local and regional atmospheric conditions. The noise study area is determined by the limit of noise intrusions associated with the Project. The extent of the study areas for the other natural resources described in this chapter were defined through coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies, and the anticipated limits of disturbance to the resource from Project construction and operation. The study areas were defined to extend well past the expected limits of disturbance to ensure that all potentially affected resources were identified and were generally established as a minimum of 500 feet (Table 3.0-1) Table 3.0-1: Study Area by Resource Resource Study Area1 Comment Water Resources Varies 500-foot study area for review of maps, photographs, databases, etc. Wetland and stream delineations were performed within a 100-foot study area. Topography, Geology, Soils 600 feet Wider study area because soils in disturbed areas such as the existing railroad corridor are not rated, so a wider study area provides a better understanding of the soil profile along the corridor. Agricultural Lands 1,000 feet Study area established to include larger farms and Agricultural/Forestal Districts within rural areas. Mineral Resources Varies Resources identified for both a 2,000-foot wide study area and a 2-mile study area. Wider study area used since the resources, regardless of size, are identified as points on a map. Solid Wastes and Hazardous 1,000 feet Wider study area to account for potential for contamination to travel Materials from adjacent properties that may be affected and to include properties that might be considered for acquisition or easements. Air Quality All counties the Study area is larger than for other resources because much of the Project is located available data regarding regional air quality is provided at the county level within and not at a smaller scale. Noise and Vibration Varies Study area for the noise and vibration analysis varies in size throughout the corridor to account for potential impacts and is as wide as approximately 3 miles through some sections. Energy Not applicable Analysis covers energy use from intercity travel to, from, within, and through the DC2RVA corridor. Aesthetics and Visual Varies Study area includes areas from which the Project would be visible as well Environment as areas visible from the rail. Biological Resources 500 feet Minimum study area width. Considered conservative to capture any potential impacts. Community Resources 1,000 feet Study area of 1000 feet set for consistency with Title VI and Environmental Justice study area and for inclusion of smaller communities within rural areas. Counties discussed for comprehensive planning. Title VI and Environmental 1,000 feet Includes census tracts with any portion within the 1,000-foot study area. Justice Archaeological and Varies Study area is the Area of Potential Effect which is the limits of disturbance Aboveground Historic and for archaeological resources and 1000 feet for aboveground resources, Cultural Resources which is expanded to 2000 feet in areas of overpass recommendations. Parklands, Recreational 1,000 feet Wider study area to ensure inclusion of all additional right-of-way impacts Areas, and Refuges including those related to roadway improvements. Transportation Facilities Varies Two study areas established. Regional study area focuses on the broader transportation network and transportation modes that provide the overall context for the existing railroad service, as well as the proposed DC2RVA service. It includes portions of every county and city that the proposed service will traverse, and its extents include I-95 and U.S. Route 1, which run roughly parallel to the DC2RVA corridor. The second study area is 1-mile-wide and was used for more-detailed analysis of the affected transportation network. Note: 1. Study area is centered along the corridor. 3-3 TIER II DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 3.1 WATER RESOURCES Water resources are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) according to the Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (Clean Water Act [CWA]) and the Water Quality Act of 1987. Section 404 of the CWA regulates activities affecting Waters of the United States (WOUS). WOUS can be generally defined as all navigable waters and waters that have been or can be used for interstate or foreign commerce, their tributaries, and any waters that, if impacted, could affect the former. WOUS include surface waters (e.g., streams, lakes, bays) and their associated wetlands (i.e., inundated or saturated areas that support vegetation adapted for life in wet soils). EPA, USACE, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) all issue permits for various activities in, under, and over WOUS. Virginia DEQ administers the Virginia Water Protection Permit program (9 VAC 25-210), Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the State Water Control Law for activities affecting jurisdictional wetlands, streams, and other water bodies. In July 2000, Virginia DEQ authority was modified by the Virginia General Assembly to develop a non-tidal wetlands program and to provide regulations to protect fish and wildlife resources. While waters that are considered “isolated” do not fall under federal CWA permitting, they are regulated by Virginia DEQ. VMRC is authorized to permit activities in, on or over state-owned subaqueous lands in Virginia (Code of Virginia Chapter 2, Title 62.1). In addition, VMRC is responsible for managing and regulating the use of Virginia’s tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dunes in conjunction with Virginia’s local wetlands boards, where established. VMRC also protects and regulates those areas designated as non-vegetated and vegetated tidal wetlands and state-owned subaqueous bottom land. Virginia’s WOUS, including wetlands, are also regulated under the Virginia Wetlands Act and through Subtitle III of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia. These laws include oversight of areas and activities,