School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Downtown Campus City of Buffalo, Erie County, NY Figure 10: Visual Simulations Viewpoint 3: Proposed View Allen & Pearl St. Figure 10: Visual Simulation May 2013 Sheet 2 of 8 www.edrcompanies.com Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences City of Buffalo, Erie County, New York Prepared for: State University Construction Fund Office of Design Management 335 Broadway Albany, New York 12246 Contact. Ms. Peggy McSorley P. 518.320.3200 www.sucf.suny.edu Prepared by: Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture and Engineering, P.C. (edr) 217 Montgomery St., Suite 1000 Syracuse, New York 13202 P. 315.471.0688 F. 315.471.1061 www.edrcompanies.com June 2013 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences City of Buffalo, Erie County, New York Lead Agency: State University Construction Fund Office of Design Management 335 Broadway Albany, New York 12246 Contact: Ms. Peggy McSorley Phone: (518) 320-3200 Prepared By: edr Companies (edr) 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse, New York 13202 Contact: Patrick Heaton Phone: (315) 471-0688 Date Accepted by Lead Agency: May 31, 2013 Online Access: June 4, 2013 Public Comment Period: June 4 – July 8, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................... vi FIRMS/ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN the PREPARATION OF THE DEIS ............................................................ ix 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................................................ 8 2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ......................................................................... 9 2.3 PURPOSE, NEED, AND BENEFIT ............................................................................................................. 11 2.4 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.4.1 Pre-construction Activities ....................................................................................................................... 13 2.4.2 Site Preparation for Construction ............................................................................................................ 13 2.4.3 Public Road Improvements ..................................................................................................................... 13 2.5 REVIEWS, APPROVALS, and OTHER COMPLIANCE DETERMINATIONS ............................................. 13 2.5.1 SEQR Process ........................................................................................................................................ 14 1.1.1.1 UB Comprehensive Physical Plan .................................................................................................. 15 1.1.1.2 UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences........................................................................... 16 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS, POTENTIAL IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES ..................................... 21 3.1 GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND TOPOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 21 3.1.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 21 3.1.1.1 Topography ..................................................................................................................................... 21 3.1.1.2 Geology .......................................................................................................................................... 21 3.1.1.3 Soils ................................................................................................................................................ 22 3.1.2 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.2.1 Construction .................................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.2.2 Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 23 3.1.3 Proposed Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 24 3.2 WATER RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................ 24 3.2.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 24 3.2.2 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................................... 25 3.2.3 Proposed Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 25 3.3 CLIMATE, AIR QUALITY, AND ODOR ....................................................................................................... 26 3.3.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 26 3.3.1.1 Climatic Conditions ......................................................................................................................... 26 3.3.1.2 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................................... 27 3.3.1.3 Odor ................................................................................................................................................ 28 3.3.2 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.2.1 Construction .................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.2.2 Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 28 3.3.3 Proposed Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 30 3.4 BIOLOGICAL, TERRESTRIAL, AND AQUATIC BIOLOGY ........................................................................ 31 3.4.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 31 3.4.1.1 Vegetation ....................................................................................................................................... 31 3.4.1.2 Fish and Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 32 3.4.1.3 Rare Species/Significant Natural Communities .............................................................................. 32 3.4.2 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................................... 32 3.4.2.1 Construction .................................................................................................................................... 32 3.4.2.2 Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 33 3.4.3 Proposed Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 33 3.5 DOCUMENTED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ................................................................................... 33 Draft Environmental Impact Statement i University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences 3.5.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 34 3.5.2 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................................... 50 3.5.2.1 Construction .................................................................................................................................... 50 3.5.2.2 Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 51 3.5.3 Proposed Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 51 3.6 AESTHETIC/VISUAL RESOURCES ..........................................................................................................