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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationand transitional surfaces established by 14 CFR Part 77, Objects Affecting Navigable Airspace. The headstoneswould have to be laid flat with protection or relocated as determined by the Warwick Historical CemeteryCommission as a required safety measure (refer to Chapter 6, Mitigation, Section 6.7, Historic, Architectural,Archaeological, and Cultural Resources, for a discussion of options to address this safety measure). As stipulated inthe MOA, FAA and RIAC will consult with the WHCC as required under Rhode Island General Law 23-18-1 etseq. and Chapter 12 of the City of Warwick ordinances to develop measures to mitigate significant impacts (seeAppendix I, Historic, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources).Realigned Main Avenue may result in construction occurring in or within 25 feet of WHC 77 and WHC 78(Figure 5-32). While the exact boundaries of WHC 77 and 78 are not confirmed because permission has not beengranted to strip top soils around the perimeter of visible headstones at these cemeteries, archaeological investigationWHC 77 indicates that no unmarked graves exist outside of the currently established boundary and Main Avenue.At this time the unconfirmed boundary for WHC 78 is the limits of the designated cemetery lot and the surveyindicated a potential for unmarked graves between the cemetery and Main Avenue. Through the impactminimization process, the redesign of Realigned Main Avenue using a slower design speed (which requires adesign exception from RIDOT) may eliminate any impacts to WHC 77 and WHC 78 (refer to Section 5.8.8.1,Avoidance, for further details). Throughout additional investigations and final design of Realigned Main Avenue,the FAA and RIAC will continue to consult with the WHCC per stipulations contained in the MOA (seeAppendix I, Historic, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources) and as required by Rhode Island GeneralLaw 23-18-1 et seq. and Chapter 12 of the City of Warwick ordinances.WHC 76 lies within an area of Future Build VLAP for noise mitigation. If abutting landowners elect to have theirproperty acquired and the acquisition includes ground disturbance, potential impacts to WHC 76 will be evaluatedprior to any acquisition. FAA and RIAC will continue to consult with the WHCC per stipulations contained in theMOA (see Appendix I, Historic, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources) and as required by Rhode IslandGeneral Law 23-18-1 et seq. and Chapter 12 of the City of Warwick Ordinances.Indirect ImpactsAlternative B4 would result in a visual impact on the Rhode Island State Airport Terminal and the eligibleairport historic district resulting in an adverse effect under Section 106 by changing its historical setting. Theterminal building is currently visible from Airport Road, which contributes to its setting (i.e., the public onAirport Road has a sense of the landside approaches and operations when the terminal was in operation). Dueto its location, the split Integrated Cargo facility would obstruct the public’s views of the terminal building fromPartially Relocated Airport Road, isolate the property from its surroundings, and alter its setting (Figure 5-31).Alternative B4 does not result in visual impacts to Hangar No. 2 because the view of the hangar from AirportRoad would not be changed from the existing view. All other historical architectural properties are located atleast one mile from the Airport and are buffered from any potential visual impacts.Alternative B4 would have no effect on historical properties resulting from noise-related indirect impacts(Table 5-96, Figures 5-34 and 5-35). A quiet setting is not one of the recognized characteristics that make thesehistorical properties eligible or listed in the NRHP. Furthermore, a quiet setting is not a defining characteristicof the historical cemeteries identified within the APE.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-178 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc