Environmental Assessment for Construction of a Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County, Virginia May 2017 Virginia Department of Veterans Services Office of the Commissioner 101 North 14th Street, 17th Floor Richmond, VA 23219 This page intentionally left blank. Environmental Assessment: Construction of a Veterans Care Center May 2017 Vint Hill, Fauquier County, Virginia Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. i Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Project Background .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 ALTERNATIVES..................................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Development of Alternatives ............................................................................................... 5 2.2. Alternatives Retained for Detailed Analysis ........................................................................ 5 2.2.1. Proposed Action ............................................................................................................. 6 2.2.2. No Action Alternative .................................................................................................. 11 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES......................................................................................................................... 12 3.1. Aesthetics ........................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 12 3.1.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 12 3.1.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 12 3.1.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 13 3.2. Land Use ............................................................................................................................ 13 3.2.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 13 3.2.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 14 3.2.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 14 3.2.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 14 3.3. Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 14 3.3.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 15 3.3.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 15 3.3.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 15 3.3.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 16 3.4. Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................. 17 3.4.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 17 3.4.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 20 3.4.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 20 3.4.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 20 3.5. Geology, Soils, and Topography ........................................................................................ 20 3.5.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 21 3.5.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 21 3.5.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 21 3.5.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 23 3.6. Water Resources ................................................................................................................. 23 3.6.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 24 i Environmental Assessment: Construction of a Veterans Care Center May 2017 Vint Hill, Fauquier County, Virginia 3.6.1.1. Waters of the U.S., Including Wetlands .............................................................. 24 3.6.1.2. Groundwater ........................................................................................................ 26 3.6.1.1. Floodplains ........................................................................................................... 26 3.6.1.2. Stormwater ........................................................................................................... 26 3.6.1.1. Impaired Waters ................................................................................................... 27 3.6.1.2. Wild & Scenic Rivers .......................................................................................... 27 3.6.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 27 3.6.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 27 3.6.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 28 3.7. Wildlife and Habitat ........................................................................................................... 29 3.7.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 29 3.7.1.1. Wildlife ................................................................................................................ 29 3.7.1.2. Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................... 30 3.7.1.3. Invasive Species ................................................................................................... 31 3.7.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 31 3.7.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 31 3.7.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 33 3.8. Noise ................................................................................................................................... 33 3.8.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 34 3.8.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 35 3.8.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 35 3.8.2.2. No Action ............................................................................................................. 36 3.9. Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ...................................................................... 36 3.9.1. Existing Environment .................................................................................................. 36 3.9.2. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 37 3.9.2.1. Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 37 3.9.2.1. No Action ............................................................................................................. 38 3.10. Community Services ........................................................................................................ 38 3.10.1. Existing Environment ................................................................................................ 38 3.10.2. Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 38 3.10.2.1. Proposed Action