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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationTable 5-122Alternative B2: Impacts to Terrestrial HabitatsCover TypeHabitat inStudy Area(acres)Area Altered(acres)PercentRemaining Effects of Alteration Species ImpactedAnnual mown grassland 63 9.5 85% Loss of foraging area (birdssmall mammals)Common songbirds and smallmammalsAgricultural Land 65 7.7 88% Raccoon, deer, and commonsongbirdsUpland Forest 222 8.6 96% Loss of nesting, foraging, andbreeding areasShrubland 194 4.1 98% Loss of cover, foraging, nesting,and breeding areasForested Wetland 174 3.6 98% Loss of cover, nesting,breeding, and foraging areasCommon songbirds andmammalsSongbirds and small mammalsSongbirds and mammalsScrub-shrub Wetland 48 0.5 99% Loss of foraging area Common songbirds andwaterfowlEmergent Wetland 18 1.4 92% Loss of foraging area Songbirds, wading birds, andwaterfowlEmergent Wetland –common reed25 0.4 98% Low quality habitat, limitednesting habitatTotal Habitat Impact 809 35.8 96%Source: VHB, Inc.Songbirds (e.g., red-wingedblackbird) and muskratSignificant Impacts: While there is no specific significance threshold established for non-listed species,Alternative B2 would not adversely affect non-listed species population dynamics, sustainability, reproductionrates, natural and artificial mortality, and would not impact the minimum population size needed to maintainthe affected population. Alternative B2 would relocate approximately 112 linear feet of Buckeye Brook whichsupports a river herring spawning run. This Alternative would also add an additional 30-foot extension onto theexisting 70-foot long Lakeshore Drive culvert on this stream. A culvert extension could potentially impair fishpassage. Alternative B2 would avoid impact to habitat of two state-listed species, the pine barrens tiger beetle,and sickle-leaved golden aster. Existing VMP practices, which maintain this habitat, would continue. Potentialhabitat for Greatest Conservation Need grassland bird species south of Runway 34 would not be substantiallyaffected. A small (1.4 acres) remnant of a locally uncommon plant community, Atlantic white cedar forestedwetland, south of Runway 34 and east of Buckeye Brook would not be impacted by Alternative B2.5.12.4.3 Alternative B4The following section outlines the direct and indirect impacts associated with constructing Alternative B4.Direct ImpactsRunway 16-34Alternative B4 would not require any activities to be conducted within Buckeye Brook or Spring Green Pond, andwould not directly impact aquatic habitat supporting fish or shellfish populations. As a result of Runway 16-34Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-231 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc