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

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
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