Draft Site-Specific Environmental Assessment: Proposed Replacement VA Medical Center Campus, Louisville, Kentucky U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Robley Rex VA Medical Center 800 Zorn Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 December 15, 2014 Draft Site-Specific EA Replacement VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky December 15, 2014 This page intentionally left blank. Draft Site-Specific EA Replacement VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky December 15, 2014 Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... vii Table: Summary of Impact Analysis ................................................................................................. viii 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project Background ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................................ 3 2.0 ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Development of Alternatives .............................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Alternatives ......................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.1 Proposed Action: Construct and Operate Replacement Louisville VAMC, Atrium Concept ..... 5 2.2.1.1 Site Organization and Appearance ...................................................................................... 11 2.2.1.2 VA Medical Center ............................................................................................................. 13 2.2.1.3 VBA Regional Office Building ........................................................................................... 13 2.2.1.4 Central Utility Plant ............................................................................................................ 13 2.2.1.5 Geothermal System for VBA Building ............................................................................... 14 2.2.1.6 Laundry ............................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1.7 Site Lighting ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.2.1.8 Parking Decks ..................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1.9 Site Access and Circulation ................................................................................................ 16 2.2.1.10 Service / Deliveries ........................................................................................................... 16 2.2.1.11 Physical Security Measures .............................................................................................. 16 2.2.1.12 Stormwater Management .................................................................................................. 17 2.2.1.13 Utilities .............................................................................................................................. 17 2.2.1.14 Site Landscaping ............................................................................................................... 19 2.2.1.15 Construction and Operation Milestones ............................................................................ 20 2.2.1.16 Mitigation Measures and Best Management Practices ..................................................... 20 2.2.2 No Action ................................................................................................................................... 21 2.3 Alternatives Identified But Not Evaluated in Detail ......................................................................... 24 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .............................. 25 3.1 Aesthetics .......................................................................................................................................... 25 3.1.1 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................ 25 3.1.2 Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 26 3.1.3 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................... 26 3.1.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 26 3.1.3.2 No Action ............................................................................................................................ 29 3.2 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................ 29 3.2.1 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................ 29 3.2.2 Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.3 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................... 30 i Draft Site-Specific EA Replacement VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky December 15, 2014 3.2.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 30 3.2.3.2 No Action ............................................................................................................................ 31 3.3 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................................ 32 3.3.1 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................ 32 3.3.2 Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 35 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................... 35 3.3.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 35 3.3.3.2 No Action ............................................................................................................................ 36 3.4 Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................................. 37 3.4.1 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................ 37 3.4.2 Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 37 3.4.3 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................... 38 3.4.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 38 3.4.3.2 No Action ............................................................................................................................ 40 3.5 Hydrology and Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 40 3.5.1 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................ 40 3.5.2 Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 40 3.5.3 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................... 41 3.5.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 41 3.5.3.2 No Action ............................................................................................................................ 44 3.6 Wildlife and Habitat .......................................................................................................................... 45 3.6.1 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................ 45 3.6.2 Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 45 3.6.3 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................... 46 3.6.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 46 3.6.3.2 No Action ...........................................................................................................................