Norfolk Southern/Conrail Rail ConnectionâBucyrus, Ohio - Surface ...

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STB Finance Docket No. 33388 Transportation of Hazardous Materials The existing lines were evaluated to determine if they are hazardous material key routes. NS’ current train accident ratio (1.93 train accidents per million train miles) was applied to the annual number of trains projected to operate over the connection and the length of the connection to calculate the probability of a train accident on the connection. Evaluation Criteria The following criteria was used to determine the effects of the proposed project on safety issues: C The effect of the proposed connection on the transportation of hazardous materials. C The likelihood of encountering hazardous waste sites during construction. C The likelihood of a hazardous material release during construction. WATER RESOURCES Identification of the types and extent of surface water features occurring within 500 feet of the center line along the proposed Bucyrus construction was completed using a variety of information sources. <strong>Surface</strong> water resources were primarily identified from site inspection and interpretation of hydrologic features delineated on USGS topographic maps and NWI maps. The other information sources described below were used to confirm and/or refine the locations of these features. USGS Topographic Maps USGS topographic maps indicate, among other items, the types and extent of water features on the landscape. These features include permanent and intermittent streams, water bodies, wetlands, tidal channels, mudflats, sewage-treatment ponds, channels, culverts, and ditches. Water resources located within and immediately adjacent to the railroad right-of-way were assessed for this project. Each crossing of a water resource was counted as required by 33 CFR Section 330.2 (I). D-16
STB Finance Docket No. 33388 National Wetlands Inventory Maps NWI maps show various water features with a focus on wetland resources. The inventory was completed by USFWS through a stereoscopic analysis of high altitude aerial photography and delimitation of wetland types on USGS topos. Wetlands are classified by USFWS in accordance with Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. A particular wetland is located and classified in detail on NWI maps by a sequence of alphabetical and numerical symbols based on the attributes of the wetland. A comprehensive explanation of the classification system is provided in the map legend. This classification system includes a broad range of the types and extent of wetland resources, as well as other water features. However, for this evaluation, wetlands were identified as rivers, lacustrine (reservoirs, lakes) or palustrine (any vegetated wetland). Palustrine wetlands were further identified as forested, shrub/scrub, or emergent (containing herbaceous vegetation) wetlands. There are often differences between the USFWS definition of a “wetlands” and the definitions of various federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. All NWI wetlands that occur within 500 feet of the proposed construction are depicted on figures. Soil Survey Maps Soil surveys have been completed by NRCS for a large number of counties in the United States. Maps have been prepared for each survey that show the types and extent of soil types. A subset of the soils mapped by NRCS is classified as “hydric;” that is, soils subjected to prolonged periods of flooding, ponding or saturation. The occurrence of a hydric soil provides an indication that an area may be a wetland. Information from the soil survey maps was used to cross-reference other sources of information to better understand the soils and hydrologic conditions at select locations. Site Visits The proposed construction site was inspected and reviewed in the field by environmental scientists. Information about surface water resources and other areas of interest was collected during the inspections. Field notes and photographs taken during the inspections were retained for later review and utilized to amend and refine information derived from other sources. Evaluation Criteria The following criteria were used to assess the potential impacts to surface water resources and wetlands that could result from the proposed construction project: • Alteration of creek embankments with rip-rap, concrete, and other bank stabilization measures. • Temporary or permanent loss of surface water area associated with the incidental deposition of fill. • Downstream sediment deposition or water turbidity due to fill activities, dredging, and/or soil erosion from upland construction site areas. • Direct or indirect destruction and/or degradation of aquatic, wetland, and riparian vegetation/habitat. • Degradation of water quality through sediment loading or chemical/petroleum spills. • Alteration of water flow that could increase bank erosion or flooding, uproot or destroy vegetation, or affect fish and wildlife habitats. The extent and duration of impacts to surface water resources and wetlands resulting from the project would depend primarily on the type of work to be completed and the size of the project. The overall effect could be lessened by avoiding important resources and minimizing impacts to the extent practicable, and by implementing the mitigation measures. Prior to initiating construction, regulatory agencies would be consulted regarding the need to obtain permits, such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (COE) Section 404 permits, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, and state-required permits or agreements, as appropriate. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Information regarding biological resources potentially occurring at, or in the immediate vicinity, of the proposed project (within 500 feet of the center line) was collected from a variety of sources, including USGS topographic maps, NRCS soil survey maps, lists of threatened and endangered species, reference books on regional flora and fauna, and information databases. In addition, federal and state agencies D-17
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STB Decision ID #28335 Service Date
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3.5.3 Floodplain ..................
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LIST OF TABLES Page ES-1 Summary of
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Environmenta
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SEA concludes that the construction
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The proposed action at Bucyrus, Ohi
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Table 1-1 Design Specifications for
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As part of NS’ track maintenance
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The Board has adopted the former In
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esulting in a new at-grade crossing
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Table 2-1 Comparison of the “Buil
Page 23 and 24: 3.1.3 Prime Farmlands and Coastal Z
Page 25 and 26: As seen in the table below (Table 3
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Page 29 and 30: Preparedness Preparedness to respon
Page 31 and 32: 3.6.2 Wildlife Wildlife habitat fou
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Page 35 and 36: 4.1.2.1 Evaluation Criteria The fol
Page 37 and 38: The Quinn Brothers Construction Com
Page 39 and 40: Floodplain FEMA maps for the area s
Page 41 and 42: 4.1.7.1 Evaluation Criteria The fol
Page 43 and 44: Operation Approximately eight train
Page 45 and 46: 4.1.11 Cumulative Impacts Cumulativ
Page 47 and 48: CHAPTER 5 Agency Comments and Mitig
Page 49 and 50: Comment: The Buffalo District of th
Page 51 and 52: ! Petitioner would comply with all
Page 53 and 54: Water Resources 1. NS shall obtain
Page 55 and 56: APPENDIX A PETITIONER’S REQUEST F
Page 57 and 58: APPENDIX C AGENCIES AND OTHER PARTI
Page 59 and 60: APPENDIX E REFERENCES
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Page 85 and 86: Event Speed Duratio Time (mph) n (s
Page 87: APPENDIX E REFERENCES Cowardin, Lew
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