ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR IH 35E NORTH SECTION FROM: FM 2181 TO: US 380 DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS CSJs: 0195-03-050, 0195-03-071, 0195-03-075, 0196-01-056, and 0196-01-074 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION and TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION August 2011 THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ ES-1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 IH 35E Corridor ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Definition Process: Funding Strategies ................................................................. 2 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION ...................................................................................... 5 2.1 Description of Proposal ....................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Managed/HOV Concurrent Flow Lane (MHOV-C) Concept ............................................... 7 2.3 Need and Purpose .............................................................................................................. 9 2.3.1 Project Need .......................................................................................................... 9 2.3.2 Project Purpose.................................................................................................... 15 2.4 ROW Requirements and Utility Adjustments .................................................................... 16 2.5 Related Studies and Relevant Documents to the Proposed North Section Improvements ................................................................................................................... 17 2.6 Logical Termini .................................................................................................................. 20 2.7 Public Involvement ............................................................................................................ 21 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING FACILITY ..................................................................................... 25 3.1 Existing Facility ................................................................................................................. 25 3.2 Surrounding Terrain and Land Use ................................................................................... 26 3.3 Traffic Projections ............................................................................................................. 27 4.0 ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................................ 29 4.1 No-Build Alternative .......................................................................................................... 29 4.2 Build Alternative ................................................................................................................ 30 5.0 POTENTIAL SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS.................................................................................................................. 33 5.1 Natural Resources ............................................................................................................ 33 5.1.1 Lakes, Rivers, and Streams ................................................................................. 33 5.1.2 Waters of the U.S., including Wetlands ............................................................... 34 5.1.3 Floodplains ........................................................................................................... 37 5.1.4 Water Quality ....................................................................................................... 39 5.1.5 Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat ............................................................................ 41 5.1.6 Threatened/Endangered Species ........................................................................ 50 5.1.7 Topography and Soils .......................................................................................... 56 5.1.8 Air Quality ............................................................................................................. 57 5.2 Community Impact Assessment ....................................................................................... 74 5.2.1 Regional and Community Growth ........................................................................ 75 5.2.2 Land Use .............................................................................................................. 77 5.2.3 Section 4(f) and 6(f) Properties ............................................................................ 78 5.2.4 Economic Impacts ................................................................................................ 80 5.2.5 Relocations and Displacements........................................................................... 81 5.2.6 Access ................................................................................................................ 103 5.2.7 Community Cohesion ......................................................................................... 103 5.2.8 Limited English Proficiency ................................................................................ 105 5.2.9 Environmental Justice (EJ) ................................................................................ 107 5.2.10 Economic Impacts of Tolling .............................................................................. 120 5.2.11 Public Facilities and Services ............................................................................ 133 5.2.12 Aesthetic Considerations ................................................................................... 134 5.2.13 Noise .................................................................................................................. 135 5.2.14 Traffic Operations............................................................................................... 140 5.2.15 Summary of Community Impact Assessment .................................................... 140 CSJs: 0195-03-050, -071, -075, 0196-01-056, -074 Page i 5.3 Cultural Resources.......................................................................................................... 144 5.3.1 Non-Archeological Historic Resources .............................................................. 144 5.3.2 Archeological Resources ................................................................................... 145 5.4 Other Resources/Issues ................................................................................................. 147 5.4.1 Hazardous Materials .......................................................................................... 147 5.4.2 Airway-Highway Clearance ................................................................................ 159 6.0 PROJECT LEVEL INDIRECT IMPACTS .................................................................................... 161 6.1 Step 1 – Indirect Impacts Analysis: Scoping and Determination of a Study Area ......... 163 6.1.1 Project Attributes and Context ........................................................................... 163 6.1.2 Geographic Boundary of the AOI ....................................................................... 164 6.1.3 Time Frame for Assessing Indirect Impacts ...................................................... 165 6.2 Step 2 – Indirect Impacts Analysis: Development Trends and Community Goals in the AOI .............................................................................................................. 165 6.2.1 Regional and Local Trend Data ......................................................................... 166 6.2.2 Regional and Local Plans .................................................................................. 167 6.3 Step 3 – Indirect Impacts Analysis - Inventory the Notable Features within the AOI ..... 170 6.3.1 Sensitive Habitats and Species ......................................................................... 170 6.3.2 Valued Environmental Components .................................................................. 170 6.3.3 Relatively Unique or Sensitive Landscape Features ......................................... 171 6.3.4 Vulnerable Elements of the Population .............................................................. 171 6.4 Step 4 – Indirect Impacts Analysis - Identify Impact-Causing Activities of Proposed Action .............................................................................................................................. 171 6.5 Step 5 – Indirect Impacts Analysis: Identify Potential Indirect Impacts for Analysis ...... 176 6.5.1 Encroachment-Alteration Impacts ...................................................................... 176 6.5.2 Project-Influenced Land Use Change ................................................................ 180 6.5.3 Impacts Resulting from Project-Influenced Land Use Change .......................... 180 6.6 Step 6 - Analyze Indirect Impacts and Evaluate Results ................................................ 181 6.6.1 Encroachment-Alteration Impacts ...................................................................... 181 6.6.2 Project-Influenced