ATLANTA TO CHARLOTTE PASSENGER RAIL CORRIDOR INVESTMENT PLAN | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES Table of Contents 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ....................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Summary of Key Findings ................................................................................................. 3-7 3.2.1 No-Build Alternative .......................................................................................................... 3-7 3.2.2 Corridor Alternatives .......................................................................................................... 3-7 3.3 Transportation .................................................................................................................. 3-11 3.3.1 Legal and Regulatory Context .......................................................................................... 3-11 3.3.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 3-11 3.3.3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-12 3.3.4 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................... 3-30 3.3.5 Potential Mitigation .......................................................................................................... 3-41 3.3.6 Subsequent Analysis ......................................................................................................... 3-42 3.4 AIR QUALITY .............................................................................................................. 3-44 3.4.1 Legal and Regulatory Context .......................................................................................... 3-44 3.4.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 3-46 3.4.3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-46 3.4.4 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................... 3-46 3.4.5 Potential Mitigation .......................................................................................................... 3-47 3.4.6 Subsequent Analysis ......................................................................................................... 3-48 3.5 NOISE AND VIBRATION .......................................................................................... 3-49 3.5.1 Legal and Regulatory Context .......................................................................................... 3-49 3.5.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 3-49 3.5.3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-53 3.5.4 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................... 3-57 3.5.5 Potential Mitigation .......................................................................................................... 3-58 3.5.6 Subsequent Analysis ......................................................................................................... 3-59 DRAFT / MARCH 2019 PAGE 3-i ATLANTA TO CHARLOTTE PASSENGER RAIL CORRIDOR INVESTMENT PLAN | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES 3.6 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice .................................................................... 3-60 3.6.1 Legal and Regulatory Context .......................................................................................... 3-60 3.6.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 3-60 3.6.3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-62 3.6.4 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................... 3-71 3.6.5 Potential Mitigation .......................................................................................................... 3-73 3.6.6 Subsequent Analysis ......................................................................................................... 3-73 3.7 Parklands, Wildlife Refuges, and Recreational Areas ..................................................... 3-75 3.7.1 Legal and Regulatory Context .......................................................................................... 3-75 3.7.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 3-76 3.7.3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-76 3.7.4 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................... 3-83 3.7.5 Potential Mitigation .......................................................................................................... 3-84 3.7.6 Subsequent Analysis ......................................................................................................... 3-85 3.8 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................... 3-86 3.8.1 Regulatory Context ........................................................................................................... 3-87 3.8.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 3-89 3.8.3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-97 3.8.4 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................................... 3-121 3.8.5 Potential Mitigation ........................................................................................................ 3-123 3.8.6 Subsequent Analysis ....................................................................................................... 3-124 3.9 Water Resources ............................................................................................................ 3-125 3.9.1 Legal and Regulatory Requirements ............................................................................... 3-125 3.9.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 3-130 3.9.3 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................... 3-132 3.9.4 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................................... 3-147 3.9.5 Potential Mitigation Strategies ........................................................................................ 3-148 3.9.6 Subsequent Analysis ....................................................................................................... 3-150 3.10 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 3-151 3.10.1 Legal and Regulatory Context ........................................................................................ 3-151 DRAFT / MARCH 2019 PAGE 3-ii ATLANTA TO CHARLOTTE PASSENGER RAIL CORRIDOR INVESTMENT PLAN | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES 3.10.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 3-152 3.10.3 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................... 3-155 3.10.4 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................................... 3-177 3.10.5 Potential Mitigation ........................................................................................................ 3-179 3.10.6 Subsequent Analysis ....................................................................................................... 3-180 DRAFT / MARCH 2019 PAGE 3-iii ATLANTA TO CHARLOTTE PASSENGER RAIL CORRIDOR INVESTMENT PLAN | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES List of Exhibits Exhibit 3.1-1: Southern Crescent Corridor Alternative ................................................................................. 3-2 Exhibit 3.1-2: I-85 Corridor Alternative ........................................................................................................ 3-3 Exhibit 3.1-3: Greenfield Corridor Alternative ............................................................................................. 3-4 Exhibit 3.1-4: Environmental Screening Areas ............................................................................................. 3-5 Exhibit 3.2-1: Summary Potential Environmental Impacts ........................................................................... 3-9 Exhibit 3.3-1: Comparison of Existing Travel Modes and Proposed Corridor Alternatives ....................... 3-13 Exhibit 3.3-2: ADT and