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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationairspace surface. The Vegetation Management Program (VMP) defines long-term, sustainable vegetativemanagement and maintenance practices that allow RIAC to prevent future vegetative penetrations ofFAA-mandated airspace surfaces, while being protective of the environment. Most of the grassland, shrub, andlow tree habitats around the Airport are the product of the VMP.4.12 Federal Threatened and Endangered SpeciesThis section summarizes the methodology for determining the presence of federally listed threatened andendangered species, and describes these species within the Project Area.4.12.1 MethodologyInvestigations regarding the presence of state or federally listed threatened or endangered species wereconducted through coordination with the appropriate regulatory agencies, including RINHP, RIDEM DFW, andthe USFWS; inspections of the Project and Study Areas; review of previously collected or reported data; andliterature reviews. Letters requesting written correspondence from these agencies were submitted onJuly 25, 2005. Data collected by RIDEM DFW staff from surveys conducted during the summer of 2005 wereobtained through electronic correspondence.4.12.2 Affected EnvironmentNo species listed as federally endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act were observed or areknown to occur in the Study Area or Project Area. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) found within the ProjectArea was formerly a candidate for federal listing.4.13 FloodplainsThis section summarizes the methodology for identifying floodplains and describes the floodplains within theProject Area. Since the DEIS was prepared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has revisedthe Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), which establish the base flood elevation of the 1% Annual Chance Flood(formerly known as the 100-year floodplain). RIDEM also regulates floodplains under the Rhode IslandFreshwater Wetland Act. 242 The methodology for identifying RIDEM-regulated wetlands can vary from that usedby the FEMA and a separate study was prepared to identify floodplain limits subject to State regulation.4.13.1 MethodologyThe areas subject to flooding and protected under Executive Order 11988 and USDOT Order 5650.2 wereobtained using the base flood elevation published on the latest FIRM maps. Since the topographic mappingused to design the Airport improvements is considered more accurate than the base maps used by the FEMA toprepare the FIRMs, the floodplain limits were determined by tracing the base flood elevation 14-foot NorthAmerican Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) contour on the FEIS plans. The flood elevation calculated at theAirport is based on a wave runup analysis along coastal portions of Warwick. The flood elevation of 14 feet242 R.I.G.L.,sections 2-1-18 through 2-1-27.Chapter 4 – Affected Environment 4-67 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH04_Affected_Env_JUL_2011.doc