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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation• 1.2 acres of annually mown grassland at the Runway 34 End,• 1.3 acres of shrubland within the VMP, and• 1.0 acres of upland forest.Impacts are limited to edge habitats along the Runway 34 End and are not anticipated to lead to further adversecumulative impact to biodiversity in the Project Area.5.12.7 Comparison of Alternatives B2 and B4As shown in Table 5-125, Alternatives B2 and B4 would have minimal impacts to aquatic habitats, with theexception of minor alteration to a stream supporting a migratory fish run.5.12.7.1 Significant ImpactsWhile there is no specific significance threshold established for non-listed species, Alternatives B2 and B4 wouldnot adversely affect non-listed species population dynamics, sustainability, reproduction rates, natural andartificial mortality, and would not impact the minimum population size needed to maintain the affectedpopulation. Alternatives B2 and B4 would not significantly impact terrestrial biodiversity. Neither AlternativeB2 nor B4 would reduce the terrestrial or aquatic habitat size below the level sufficient to sustain speciescommonly found in the affected area. Habitat of two state-listed species observed in the Project Area, the pinebarrens tiger beetle and sickle-leaved golden aster, would not be impacted by either Alternative B2 or B4.Potential “greatest conservation need” grassland bird species habitat south of Runway 34 would not besubstantially affected.5.12.7.2 Other ImpactsAlternative B2 includes a minor relocation of a segment of Buckeye Brook to accommodate enhancements of anexisting unpaved road for the AMF Access Road and would require a 30-foot culvert extension. Alternative B2would avoid impact to the wetland and open water habitat at the outlet of Spring Green Pond as well asimpacts to streams supporting a fish run and impact to the wetland and open water habitat at the outlet ofSpring Green Pond. Alternative B4 would avoid all impacts to streams supporting a fish run. Impacts to thewetland and open water habitat at the outlet of Spring Green Pond and to the riparian forested wetland alongBuckeye Brook (Wetland A5) would be avoided under Alternative B4.A small (1.4 acre) remnant of a locally uncommon plant community, an Atlantic white cedar stand, south ofRunway 34 and east of Buckeye Brook would not be impacted by either Alternative B2 or B4 to an extent greaterthan under the No-Action Alternative.Alternatives B2 and B4 would not represent a significant effect on biodiversity as defined in FAA Order 1050.1E,because the action would not reduce the habitat size below the level sufficient to sustain species commonlyfound in the affected area or adversely impact sensitive habitat supporting plant or animal species notcommonly occurring in the affected area. 423 Based on the information provided in Tables 5-121 through 5-124,the affected habitat represents a small percentage of each of the habitat types commonly found in the StudyArea. The habitat that will be affected is close to existing airport operations and supports a limited number of423 FAA Order 1050.1E, paragraph 81.i.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-237 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc