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

STB Finance Docket No. 33388
such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ohio Department of Natural Resources were consulted,
and specific information concerning the potential occurrence of sensitive plants and animals in the
vicinity of the proposed project was solicited.
Site visits were conducted at the project site to evaluate biological resources. These evaluations
included determinations as to the occurrence or potential occurrence of sensitive species and habitat for
sensitive species, overall value to wildlife, and use of the area as a migration corridor for animals.
Evaluation Criteria
The following evaluation criteria were utilized to assess the potential impacts to biological resources
resulting from the proposed projects:
• Loss or degradation of unique or important vegetative communities.
• Harm to or loss of individuals or populations of rare, threatened or endangered plants or
animals.
• Disturbance of nesting, breeding or foraging areas of threatened or endangered wildlife.
• Loss or degradation of areas designated as critical habitat.
• Loss or degradation of wildlife sanctuaries, refuges or national, state or local parks/forests.
• Alteration of movement or migration corridors for animals.
• Loss of large numbers of local wildlife or their habitats.
Sensitive animal species with potential to occur in the vicinity of the project may be impacted by
construction activities. A determination as to the level of impact will depend on many factors including
the availability of suitable habitat, previous surveys, and comments from agencies.
Parks, forest preserves, refuges and sanctuaries were identified within one mile of the proposed
construction. Impacts to these areas were determined based on their distance from the proposed
constructions and the degree to which rail construction, operation and maintenance would disturb or
disrupt activities at these areas.
AIR QUALITY
Emissions from trains have the potential to impact air quality. STB regulations contain thresholds for
air quality evaluations related to rail traffic increases. If STB thresholds would be met or exceeded, the
effects on air pollutant emissions must be analyzed. The air quality methodologies contained in this
section were used to calculate the air pollutant emissions from the proposed construction. Analyses
were conducted for areas with activity increases above the following STB thresholds, as specified in 49
CFR 1105.7(e):
Activity
Attainment Areas (49 CFR 1105.7(e)(5)(i))
Rail line segment
Threshold
Increase of 8 trains/day or 100% as measured
in gross tons miles annually
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