Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Environmental Consequences
however significantly contribute to cumulative water quality impacts or benefits in the general
area.
Impacts from the operation of construction equipment associated with development, facilities
improvements or maintenance, and restoration, although relatively short in duration, would
contribute incrementally to the overall concentration of fugitive dust and particulate matter in the
air, as well as incrementally contribute to temporary increases in ozone levels within the Region.
These operations would also result in the generation of GHG emissions. The cumulative effect of
these temporary increases in air emissions is difficult to quantify because the projects would be
implemented at different times, with only a portion of the projects occurring at any given time.
Because the generation of fugitive dust, particulate matter, ozone, and GHGs as a result of
implementing the restoration proposals included in the Seal Beach NWR CCP would be relatively
low and only generated for a limited time, the cumulative contributions from this project to the
local, regional, and global environment are not considered significant. Implementation of the Seal
Beach NWR CCP would not result in any measurable increases in the existing operational
emissions associated with Refuge management, nor would Refuge operations exceed regional
pollutant emission thresholds of significance. Therefore, the proposal would not contribute
cumulatively to long term regional air quality impacts or the production of long-term GHG
emissions.
5.9.2 Cumulative Effects to Biological Resources
The majority of the development projects proposed in the vicinity of the Refuge are redevelopment
projects that are not expected to impact significant biological resources. A few projects are
proposed in or adjacent to sensitive habitat areas and could result in disturbance to wildlife,
impacts to native habitat, or impacts to the marine environment. The restoration projects
proposed in the area could result in temporary impacts to biological resources; however, these
impacts would be minimized by avoiding construction activity during the breeding seasons, while
other impacts would be offset by the benefits of restoration. Any adverse effects to biological
resources as a result of the implementation of the CCP would be minor and would not represent a
significant cumulative effect to biological resources.
5.9.3 Cumulative Effects to Cultural Resources
Adherence to the policies and regulations pertaining to the protection of cultural resources would
avoid or mitigate any significant adverse effects as a result of implementing the various projects
listed above; therefore, the proposed project would not result in any adverse cumulative impacts to
cultural resources.
5.9.4 Cumulative Effects to the Social and Economic Environment
Although several of the projects being considered for development in the vicinity of the Refuge
would generate traffic volumes that could have cumulative effects on the local and regional
circulation systems, the minor increases in the already low levels of traffic generated as a result of
Refuge activities would not contribute cumulatively to localized or regional traffic impacts.
Although the development proposals in the vicinity of the Refuge would result in a cumulative
increase in the demand for water, sewer, and energy, the proposals in the CCP would not result in
any increases in the long-term demand for water, sewer, or energy on the Refuge.
A number of restoration proposals are under consideration in the project vicinity which when
implemented could provide habitat for various vectors, primarily salt marsh mosquitoes. The
restored conditions on these sites would however be less likely to support the diversity and
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 5-85