Draft Environmental Assessment 168th Street, Poppleton to Ehlers Project Numbers: STPC-3811(1) and STPC-3811(2) City of Omaha, Nebraska February 2017 Draft Environmental Assessment 168th Street, Poppleton to Ehlers Project Numbers: STPC-3811(1) and STPC-3811(2) City of Omaha, Nebraska TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 Introduction and Purpose & Need ....................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Background and Study Area .......................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Logical Termini and Environmental Study Area .................................................................... 7 1.3 Purpose of the Proposed Project .................................................................................................. 8 1.4 Need for the Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... 8 1.4.1 Insufficient Roadway Capacity .............................................................................................. 8 1.4.2 Inadequate Bridge Conditions ............................................................................................ 11 1.4.3 Discontinuity with Roadways and Intersections (Vehicular System Linkage) ..................... 13 1.4.4 Inadequate Pedestrian Accessibility (Pedestrian System Linkage) ..................................... 17 1.5 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Section 2 Alternatives ................................................................................................................... 21 2.1 No-Action Alternative ................................................................................................................. 21 2.2 Other Alternatives Considered But Not Carried Forward ........................................................... 21 2.2.1 Non-Roadway Improvement Alternatives .......................................................................... 21 2.2.2 Other Roadway Alternatives Considered ............................................................................ 22 2.2.3 Other Bridge Alternatives Considered ................................................................................ 23 2.3 Proposed Alternative .................................................................................................................. 26 2.4 Proposed Funding Plan and Project Implementation (Phasing) ................................................. 32 Section 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ............................................... 33 3.1 Land Use and Zoning ................................................................................................................... 34 3.1.1 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................. 34 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 38 3.1.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 38 3.2 Zorinsky Lake and Ed Zorinsky Recreation Area (Papillion Creek Dam Site 18).......................... 38 3.2.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 38 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 43 February 2017 i Draft Environmental Assessment 168th Street, Poppleton to Ehlers Project Numbers: STPC-3811(1) and STPC-3811(2) City of Omaha, Nebraska 3.2.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 44 3.3 Social and Economic Considerations .......................................................................................... 46 3.3.1 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................. 46 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 55 3.3.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 67 3.4 Title VI and Environmental Justice .............................................................................................. 68 3.4.1 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................. 69 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 75 3.4.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 77 3.5 Right-of-Way, Acquisitions, and Relocations .............................................................................. 77 3.5.1 Existing Conditions .............................................................................................................. 77 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 78 3.5.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 79 3.6 Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities .................................. 81 3.6.1 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................. 81 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 82 3.6.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 83 3.7 Parks, Recreation Areas, and Trails (Section 4(f) Resources) ..................................................... 84 3.7.1 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................. 84 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. 88 3.7.3 Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 98 3.8 Historic and Archeological Resources ......................................................................................... 99 3.8.1 Current Conditions ............................................................................................................ 100 3.8.2 Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... 100 3.8.3 Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 101 3.9 Water Resources and Water Quality ........................................................................................ 101 3.9.1 Existing Conditions ............................................................................................................ 102 3.9.2 Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... 107 3.9.3 Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 109 3.10 Wetlands and Waters of the United States .............................................................................. 110 February 2017 ii Draft Environmental Assessment 168th Street, Poppleton to Ehlers Project Numbers: STPC-3811(1) and STPC-3811(2) City of Omaha, Nebraska 3.10.1 Current Conditions ............................................................................................................ 110 3.10.2 Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... 111 3.10.3 Compliance with Executive Order 11990 .......................................................................... 113 3.10.4 Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 113 3.11 Floodplains ................................................................................................................................ 114 3.11.1 Current Conditions ............................................................................................................ 114 3.11.2 Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... 114 3.11.3 Compliance with Executive Order 11988 .......................................................................... 117 3.11.4 Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 118 3.12 Vegetation, Wildlife, and Habitat ............................................................................................