Norfolk Southern/Conrail Rail Connection–Bucyrus, Ohio - Surface ...

4.1 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM THE PROPOSED ACTION
4.1.1 Land Use
4.1.1.1 Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria were used to assess the significance of land use impacts:
Land Use Consistency and Compatibility
C
C
C
C
The severity of visual, air quality and noise impacts on sensitive land uses.
Interference with the normal functioning of adjacent land uses.
Alteration of flood water flow that could increase flooding in adjacent areas.
Consistency and/or compatibility with local land use plans and policies.
Prime Agricultural Land
C
Permanent loss of Natural Resources Conservation Service-designated prime farmland.
4.1.1.2 Potential Impacts
Current Land Use and Zoning
The proposed project would result in minimal impacts to land use. The properties for which NS is
negotiating rights to allow the proposed construction and operation are disturbed areas. The proposed
track would have an approximately 40-foot wide right-of-way, between the existing NS right-of-way
and the existing Conrail right-of-way. The proposed track would be centered in this right-of-way.
While on the Conrail right-of-way, the proposed track would be parallel to and spaced at a
perpendicular distance of 15 feet from the centerline of the existing Conrail track for 1,000 feet and then
would curve toward and meet the existing Conrail rail line. Approximately 4.6 acres of land would be
obtained for the connection, of which 1.5 acres would be occupied by track. The area that would be
converted to rail use is disturbed urban land that contains grasses and woody vegetation.
Consistency with Local Plans
Neither the City of Bucyrus nor Crawford County have zoning ordinances, therefore, this project is
consistent with local plans (Appendix C, Exhibits C-20 and C-22).
Prime Farmlands and Coastal Zones
There would be no loss of prime farmland within the proposed new right-of-way. Temporary
construction impacts to adjacent land from excavation, such as mixing of soil profiles or soil
compaction, are expected to be minor due to the small amount of land affected and because construction
would be limited to the proposed new right-of-way. The proposed construction would not conflict with
adjacent land uses.
No construction activities would occur within a designated coastal zone.
4.1.2 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice
4-2