T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation4.9.2.2 Project Area WetlandsWetlands within the Project Area (Figure 4-23) are mostly within the Buckeye Brook watershed, and providesurface water and groundwater support, flood protection, and water quality protection (sedimenttransformation/retention, nutrient transformation/retention). Buckeye Brook, Warwick Pond, and SpringGreen Pond also provide fish and shellfish habitat. Wildlife habitat values of these wetlands are limited by thequality of the wetlands, and by the Airport perimeter fence that restricts movement of mammal species forsafety reasons. Wetlands in the southeastern and northern portions of the Airport have been encroached on bypast landfill operations, gravel removal, ditching, and road and runway construction. These encroachmentsreduce the functional values of these wetlands but within the built environment represent some of the onlyremaining habitat capable of supporting mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. All of the wetlands withinthe Project Area are “waters of the United States” within federal and state jurisdiction. Table 4-28 lists thestate-jurisdictional resource areas associated with each wetland. Table 4-29 lists the functions and valuesassociated with each wetland within the Project Area.Table 4-28Project Area Baseline Condition Wetlands - State Jurisdiction Resource AreasAreaPerimeter RiverRiverbankSubject toWetland Width WetlandStorm SizeWetland Wetland Type (feet) (feet) (feet) Floodplain Flowage (acres)A1 Swamp/Wetland Complex 50 10 200 + - 14.5A6 Swamp 50 < 10 100 - 3.1A8 2 Forested Wetland - < 10 100 + + 16.3 Northern Finger(A8 total)A8 2 Swamp/Pond Complex 50 - - + - 16.3 Main Body(A8 total)A10 2 Swamp/Wetland Complex 50 >10 200 + - 25.6A11 2 Swamp/Wetland Complex 50 10 200A13 2 Swamp/Wetland Complex 50 >10 200 + - 19.4A14 2 Marsh 50 >10 200 + - 13.5A16 2 Emergent Plant Community - - - - + 0.6I Swamp/Marsh Complex 50 - - - + 15.3K Swamp 50 < 10 100 - - 26.2P Swamp 50 - - - + 17.11 Indicates presence (+) and absence (-) of wetland attribute.2 Wetland Limits and Types within Airport Property verified by the RIDEM Division of Water Resources. Additional Wetland Types may be present.Chapter 4 – Affected Environment 4-54 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH04_Affected_Env_JUL_2011.doc