US Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District NORTH BRANCH ECORSE CREEK FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STUDY WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FEBRUARY 2017 NORTH BRANCH ECORSE CREEK FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STUDY WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Cover Photo: North Branch Ecorse Creek, River Mile 5.8, southeast of Shenandoah Avenue, Allen Park, October 2010 Prepared for: Wayne County Drain Commissioner 400 Monroe Street, Suite 400 Detroit, MI 48226 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District (CELRE) 477 Michigan Avenue, 6th Floor Detroit, MI 48226 Prepared by: AECOM 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 2000 Southfield, MI 48034 Abstract Environmental Assessment North Branch Ecorse Creek Flood Risk Management Study Abstract The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, and Wayne County, Michigan, are preparing a flood risk management plan for the North Branch Ecorse Creek (NBEC). The purpose of this plan is to evaluate flooding issues in the NBEC and provide effective flood damage reduction measures to reduce flood hazards and flood damage costs for the project area. A number of possible measures and alternative plans for reducing flood risk along the NBEC were considered. The recommended alternative includes construction of a single optimized detention basin, and greenway channel improvements of varying widths in the lower nine miles of the creek downstream from US-24 (Telegraph Road) to the Detroit River. Positive effects of the proposed action include improvements to public health and safety, traffic and transportation, and socioeconomics, through reduced flooding; increased infiltration of detained floodwater into the ground and reduced peak flows within the NBEC; improvements in water quality through reduced flooding and a widened and naturalized riparian corridor; increased hydrologic stability and improved wildlife habitat; and an increase in aesthetic values of the NBEC. Expected adverse effects of the proposed action include minor temporary construction impacts on air quality, existing riparian vegetation and habitat, infrastructure, noise, soils, traffic and transportation, and utilities. Permanent impacts include removal of homes and businesses within the greenway channel widening footprint and loss of existing riverine vegetation, which is generally of low quality and would be replaced with higher quality vegetation. A number of areas within the proposed channel widening would be evaluated during the design phase to determine if contaminants are present in concentrations requiring special handling and/or remediation and to identify appropriate disposal options for such material. The proposed action would result in temporary and permanent changes to land use, open space, and parks and recreational facilities in the immediate path of construction and as a result of land acquisition for detention basins and channel improvements. Based on this Environmental Assessment, implementation of the proposed project would not result in significant short term, long term or cumulative adverse environmental impacts and does not result in significant effects on the quality of the human environment; therefore, it appears that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. After completion of agency/public review of this Environmental Assessment and evaluation of the comments received, a final decision will be made regarding the need for an Environmental Impact Statement. North Branch Ecorse Creek Flood Risk Management Study February 2017 Environmental Assessment Page i Table of Contents Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Study Authority .......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Scope and Study Area ................................................................................................ 1-1 1.3 Purpose and Need ...................................................................................................... 1-3 2 Alternatives and Proposed Action ......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Alternative 1: No Action Alternative ........................................................................ 2-2 2.2 Alternative 2: Corps’ 1988 Retention Basin Alternative .......................................... 2-2 2.3 Alternative 3: Wayne County 2008 Greenway Alternative ...................................... 2-2 2.4 Alternative 4: Optimized Powers Basin Alternative ................................................. 2-5 2.5 Alternative 5: Detention Basins with Limited Channel Improvements Alternative . 2-5 2.6 Alternative 6: Optimized Powers Basin with Channel Improvements Alternative .. 2-5 2.7 Proposed Action ......................................................................................................... 2-8 3 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................ 3-1 3.1 General Characteristics of the Study Area ................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Physical and Natural Resources ................................................................................. 3-2 3.3 Historic and Cultural Resources .............................................................................. 3-14 3.4 Socioeconomic Resources ....................................................................................... 3-18 4 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................................ 4-1 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Physical and Natural Resources ................................................................................. 4-1 4.3 Historic and Cultural Resources .............................................................................. 4-10 4.4 Socioeconomic Resources ....................................................................................... 4-14 4.5 Other Effects ............................................................................................................ 4-26 4.6 Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................................. 4-27 5 Compliance with Federal Statutes and Executive Orders ...................................................... 5-1 5.1 Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 .................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981 ................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act ........................................................................... 5-1 5.4 Endangered Species Act of 1973 ............................................................................... 5-1 5.5 National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 ............................................................... 5-2 5.6 Clean Water Act of 1972 ........................................................................................... 5-2 5.7 Clean Air Act of 1972 ................................................................................................ 5-2 5.8 Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 ................................................................................ 5-3 5.9 Wild and Scenic River Act of 1968 ........................................................................... 5-3 5.10 Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management ..................................................... 5-3 5.11 Executive Order 11514, Protection of Environment .................................................. 5-3 5.12 Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands ....................................................... 5-4 5.13 Executive Order 13186, Migratory Bird Habitat Protection ...................................... 5-4 5.14 Executive Order 12898, Environmental Justice ......................................................... 5-4 North Branch Ecorse Creek Flood Risk Management Study February 2017 Environmental Assessment Page ii Table of Contents 5.15 Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species ................................................................. 5-4 6 Public Involvement ................................................................................................................ 6-1 6.1 General ....................................................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Agency Coordination ................................................................................................. 6-1 6.3 Public Involvement Activities to Date ....................................................................... 6-1 6.4 Communications Plan ................................................................................................ 6-2 7 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 7-1 8 Public Review and Final Determination ................................................................................ 8-1 9 Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact .....................................................................