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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationAlternatives that would avoid impacts to historical resources are also discussed and evaluated inChapter 7, Final Section 4(f)/Section 6(f) Evaluation.Archaeological SitesIf Alternative B2 is selected as the Preferred Alternative, the alignment of Fully Relocated Airport Road andareas impacted by projects at the Runway 23 End would impact the Double L Site and may impact additionalarchaeological sites. Prior to construction, these areas would be surveyed and any identified archaeological siteswould be evaluated for significance and treated accordingly under Section 106. If a site is determined eligiblefor listing in the NRHP, FAA would further coordinate with RISHPO and NITHPO to review avoidanceoptions. Selecting the No-Action Alternative or Alternative B4 would eliminate the need for a Fully RelocatedAirport Road.Historical CemeteriesExtending Runway 5 under Alternatives B2 and B4 would place WHC 26 within the ROFA and the headstoneswould have to be laid flat with protection, relocated, or relocated based on other measures determined by theWarwick Historical Cemetery Commission through permitting as a required safety measure. Selecting the No-Action Alternative would eliminate impacts to WHC 26. Realigning Main Avenue under Alternative B4 wouldrequire construction within 25 feet of WHC 77 and WHC 78. Selecting the No-Action Alternative orAlternative B2 would eliminate any impacts to WHC 77 and WHC 78. Redesign of Realigned Main Avenueusing a slower design speed may also eliminate any impacts to WHC 77 and WHC 78. Use of a slower designspeed would require a design exception from RIDOT. For the purposes of this EIS it is assumed that theredesign of Realigned Main Avenue to avoid the cemeteries would be implemented in final design.WHC 76 lies within an area of voluntary land acquisition for Improvement Program-related noise impacts. Anypotential impact to WHC 76 could be avoided by selecting the No-Action Alternative or by prohibiting anyground disturbances in the 25-foot buffer around the cemetery as established by Rhode Island GeneralLaw 23-18-1 et seq. and Chapter 12.5.8.8.2 MinimizationNo opportunities to minimize the adverse effect of Alternatives B2 and B4 on historical properties have beenidentified. The impacts to Hangar No. 1 resulting in an adverse effect to this historical property and to theeligible airport historic district cannot be avoided. Impacts to the Rhode Island State Airport Terminal underAlternative B4 cannot be minimized. There may be additional opportunities to minimize impacts to WHC 26and 77 as design advances. The FAA will continue to consult with the RISHPO on possible mitigation andminimization measures. For details on proposed mitigation, refer to Chapter 6, Mitigation.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-182 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc