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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationTable 4-31 indicates the regulatory classifications for the surface waters affected by Airport discharge. Theclassifications for each water body include designated usage, impairment(s) due to water quality (as defined bySection 303(d) of the Clean Water Act), and “total maximum daily load” (TMDL) limits for certain parameters,as established by the EPA.Table 4-31Regulatory Classifications for Surface Waters Receiving Airport DischargesWater Body Classification 303(d) Impairments 2 TMDLStatusWarwick Pond B 1 Algal growth Delisted – Tracked as an Observed Effect 2Eutrophication (excess Delisted – Dissolved Oxygen, Total Phosphorus TMDL approved by EPAphosphorus, low DO)Buckeye Brook B 1 Biodiversity impacts TMDL not yet developedPathogensTMDL (December 2008) approved by EPA; may be delistedTuscatucket Brook A 3 Pathogens Delisted – TMDL approved by EPAGreenwich Bay Mixed SA 4 &SB 5 /SB1 6 Nutrients, DO Need for TMDL will be reassessed after wastewater treatment upgrades and SAMPimplementation are completePathogensDelisted – TMDL approved by EPANarragansett Bay Mixed SA 4 &SB 5 /SB1 6Nutrients, DOPathogensNeed for TMDL will be reassessed after wastewater treatment upgrades are completeConsent agreement for CSO abatement may make TMDL unnecessarySource: 303(d) List (April 2008), Water Quality Regulations (2006).Note: Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires that states establish water quality standards for their surface waters and identify impaired water bodies. Section303(d) of the CWA also establishes the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. A TMDL is the allowable load of a single pollutant from all point andnon-point sources to a segment of a water body. Under the TMDL program, states establish priority rankings for their water bodies and identify the uses for thesewater bodies (e.g. drinking water supply, recreation, etc.).1 Designated for fish and wildlife habitat and primary and secondary contact recreational activities, and compatible for industrial processes and cooling,hydropower, aquacultural uses, navigation, and irrigation and other agricultural uses. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.2 Monitoring observations that represent responses to pollutants or other stressors causing impairment such as excess algal growth, chlorophyll a, taste and odor,color, sedimentation/ siltation, and noxious aquatic plants. These terms were used on the 2006 303(d) List as causes of impairment. In general, on the 2008303(d) List, these terms have been moved from causes of impairment to Observed Effects for a number of waterbodies.3 Designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities and for fish and wildlife habitat, and are suitable for compatible industrial processes andcooling, hydropower, aquacultural uses, navigation, and irrigation and other agricultural uses. These waters shall have excellent aesthetic value.4 Designated for shellfish harvesting for direct human consumption, primary and secondary contact recreational activities, and fish and wildlife habitat. They aresuitable for aquacultural uses, navigation and industrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.5 Designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities; shellfish harvesting for controlled relay and depuration; and fish and wildlife habitat. Theyare suitable for aquacultural uses, navigation, and industrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.6 Designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities and fish and wildlife habitat. They are suitable for aquacultural uses, navigation, andindustrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value. Primary contact recreational activities may be impacted due to pathogens from approvedwastewater discharges. However all Class SB criteria must be met.TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load.DO Dissolved Oxygen.CSO Combined Sewer Overflow.4.10.2.2 Groundwater ResourcesFigure 4-26 shows groundwater resources in the Study Area. The thick, coarse-textured sediments of the Deltahold water in saturated underground layers. The Project Area is not located within a public water supplyreservoir, a groundwater recharge area, or a wellhead protection area. Most importantly, the Airport does notoverlie a sole-source aquifer. The Providence/Warwick Groundwater Aquifer is under the southwesternportion of the Airport, but this groundwater is not used as a public drinking water supply. Public water supplycomes from surface water reservoirs managed by the Providence Water Supply Board.Chapter 4 – Affected Environment 4-57 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH04_Affected_Env_JUL_2011.doc