I-10 Twin Peaks Traffic Interchange, Environmental Assessment

Affected Environment and Environmental Impacts October 2005
before 1979) and lower value homes (68.8% of the homes were worth $99,999 or
less) than the other areas of comparison. This tract also showed a high percentage
of disabled individuals in all age groups. This census tract could be characterized
as an older area with lower incomes and a high minority and disabled population.
Census Tracts 46.29, 46.30, and 46.39 resembled the characteristics of Census
Tract 46.16. These tracts were characterized also by a relatively young, low
minority, affluent population with newer, higher value homes.
Minority Groups/ Title VI/Environmental Justice
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes assure that individuals
are not excluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, or subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance
on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, and disability. EO 12898
Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice to Minority Populations and
Low Income Populations requires federal agencies to consider impacts to minority
and low income populations as part of environmental analyses to ensure that these
populations do not receive a disproportionately high number of adverse human
health impacts as a result of a federally funded project. FHWA issues a guidance
document that establishes policies and procedures for complying with this EO in
relation to federally-funded transportation projects (FHWA 1998). This guidance
defines a “disproportionately high and adverse effect as one that is predominately
borne by, suffered by, of that is appreciably more severe or greater in magnitude
than the adverse effect that would be suffered by the non-minority population
and/or the non-low-income population.
As discussed above, the study area typically had a relatively low minority
population, which reflected the overall population of the Town of Marana.
However, Census Tract 44.20 exhibited a high Indian (7.9%), other (19.3%), and
Hispanic (33.6%) population. This area represents the original incorporated area of
Marana, while the remainder of the Town reflects a newer rapidly developing area.
A small pueblo of the Pascua Yaqui tribe, the Yoem Pueblo, is located near the
intersection of Sandario and Barnett Roads within Census Tract 44.20. Also of
interest was the high percentage of disabled individuals in this tract. Although this
census tract demonstrated the characteristics that would offer it protection under
Title VI, EO 12898, and the ADA, as shown in Figure 4-5, this area is located in
the extreme northern portion of the study area, approximately 8 miles from the
project area.
Because improvements would be distant from this area, the project would not
affect this tract. In accordance with EO 12898, no disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental effects upon minority and low income
populations would occur as a result of the project. Pursuant to Title VI, individuals
from the area would not be excluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, or
subjected to discrimination as a result of the preferred alternative. In addition, the
project would upgrade intersections and sidewalks within the project limits to be in
compliance with the ADA and resulting regulations. The preferred alternative
Interstate 10 Traffic Interchange at
Twin Peaks/Linda Vista
4-81
Project No.: NH-010-D (AIW)
TRACS No.: 10 PM 236 H5838 01D