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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT I-95 DEFENSE ACCESS ROADS RAMPS TO ENGINEER PROVING GROUND SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 3.1 OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Table 2 summarizes <strong>environmental</strong> issues and their relevance to the project. Issues requiring further discussion are addressed following the table. Table 2. Environmental Issues and Summary of Environmental Effects Resource/Issue Agriculture and Prime Farmland Air Quality Biological Resources Invasive Species Remarks No agricultural activities or prime farmland exist in the project vicinity. Project is in nonattainment area for ozone and PM2.5. Project is slated for conformity analysis for 2008 Constrained Long-range Plan and Transportation Improvement Program Due to surrounding highways and commercial/industrial development, terrestrial wildlife habitat areas are small and fragmented. Aquatic habitat is limited to Field Lark Branch. Therefore, impacts to terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitats would be small. No federally listed threatened or endangered species would be affected. While a single occurrence of small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), a federally listed threatened species, has been found previously on EPG land well away from the project site, a survey of the project area found no additional occurrences of this species. (See WSSI’s Small whorled Pogonia Habitat Evaluation and Search) In accordance with Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species, the potential for the establishment of invasive terrestrial or aquatic animal or plant species during construction of the proposed project will be minimized by following provisions in FHWA/VDOT’s Specifications. These provisions require prompt seeding of disturbed areas with seeds that are tested in accordance with FHWA/VDOT’s standards and specifications to ensure that seed mixes are free of noxious species and that disturbed areas are quickly revegetated with approved vegetation, thereby minimizing introduction of invasive species.. 9
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT I-95 DEFENSE ACCESS ROADS RAMPS TO ENGINEER PROVING GROUND Table 2. Environmental Issues and Summary of Environmental Effects Resource/Issue Cultural Resources Geology, Soils, and Groundwater Hazardous Materials Sites Environmental Justice Populations Land Use and Socioeconomics Remarks There are three previously recorded archaeological sites in the project vicinity (44FX821, 44FX822, and 44FX823); however no further work was recommended for these sites at the time of recordation and they are considered not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). A comprehensive archaeological survey conducted on the EPG property in 1993 concluded that there are no archaeological properties present at EPG. All other lands crossed by the proposed ramps are disturbed lands occupied by existing road or commercial development and would not be expected to contain intact archaeological deposits. For the very limited untested areas, a testing plan has beed proposed by FHWA and approved by VDHR. There are no recorded historic architectural properties in the vicinity of the project. Soils present in the project vicinity have high erodibility. An erosion and sediment control plan and a stormwater management plan will be implemented as part of the project. Minor effects on groundwater might occur; however, there are no significant groundwater aquifers or water supplies used for human consumption in the project area. Issues related to two previous spill sites and unexploded ordinance will be resolved in compliance with federal and state regulations prior to construction. No low-income or minority populations exist in project vicinity. No long-term impacts to surrounding land uses. One business, a building supply firm, would be displaced. No residences, nonprofit organizations, or community facilities, such as hospitals, parks, places of worship, day care centers, schools, government offices such as post offices, police and fire stations, cultural centers, or special service providers would be displaced or impacted. Project would result in improvements to fire/rescue and police response capability and improved access to EPG for the thousands of employees slated to work there. 10
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