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

4.1.6.2 Potential Impacts
Vegetation
Vegetation that would be lost due to construction of the proposed project would include primarily
common grasses, weeds, small deciduous trees, and shrubs. This vegetation, which is typical of
disturbed areas, occupies approximately 50 percent of the proposed project area. The remaining 50
percent of the project area is railroad right-of-way, or vacant lots devoid of vegetation. None of the area
is used for cropland. The proposed action would impact a narrow strip of woody vegetation bordering
the existing Conrail right-of-way on the south and woody shrubs and grassy vegetation in vacant
commercial lots. Following construction, NS would reseed any disturbed areas outside the subgrade
slope.
Wildlife
No adverse impacts to wildlife populations are anticipated because the construction site is small, in an
urban area, and contains only limited wildlife habitat. The proposed project would require
approximately 4.6 acres of additional urban land. Wildlife habitat impacted by the proposed project
would be limited to recently disturbed urban land. The limited wildlife within the project area would
be subject to sporadic disturbance because of noise and human activity generated during construction
activities, subsequent train operations, and maintenance activities.
Construction of the proposed connection could temporarily displace local terrestrial wildlife because
of increased noise from construction equipment. However, such disturbances would be temporary and
are not anticipated to cause a major, permanent, redistribution of resident species. The width of the
right-of-way and low height of rail should not pose a significant barrier to the movement of wildlife.
Limited mortality of small animals may result during construction due to compaction of burrows and
encounters with heavy equipment. Incidental train/animal collisions could result in mortality to some
species. Any mortality would be expected to be insignificant compared to the overall populations of
common urban wildlife species in the project area.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The USFWS and the Ohio DNR were contacted regarding threatened and endangered species in the area
of the proposed connection at Bucyrus. The USFWS responded that the project is within the range of
the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), a Federally-listed endangered species. The USFWS recommends that
trees with cavities or exfoliating bark be saved wherever possible and cut only between September 15
and April 15. The area is heavily-disturbed and influenced by railroad and urban development. No
Indiana bats or their potential habitats were observed during a site visit. Due to this lack of habitat, no
impact to this species is anticipated. In addition, the Ohio DNR stated that it did not anticipate any
significant, adverse environmental impacts to result from the construction and operation of the proposed
connection, and no threatened or endangered species or their potential habitats were observed during
a site visit. Therefore, no significant adverse impacts to threatened or endangered species are expected
as a result of the proposed connection.
Parks, Forest Preserves, Refuges, and Sanctuaries
No potential impacts on parks, forest preserves, refuges or sanctuaries are expected since none exist in
the area.
4.1.7 Air Quality
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