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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationAirport Road. The selected option minimizes impact to natural habitats by following the alignment of anunpaved internal Airport road.Alternative B4 avoids all impacts to natural habitats at the Runway 23 End therefore further minimizationmeasures would not be necessary.Fully Relocated Airport RoadThe Fully Relocated Airport Road cross section designed for Alternative B2 has been minimized to 64 feet(four 12-foot travel lanes, two 2-foot shoulders, and two 6-foot sidewalks) to minimize impacts to forestedwetland and other natural and managed habitats. The use of a bridge structure was considered to furtherminimize impacts to forested Wetland A2, but relief between adjacent uplands and the forested swamp istypically less than six feet. The depth of a bridge structure would not provide adequate clearance over thewetland to avoid impact to the wetland area spanned to justify the additional cost.Even though there are no significant impacts, Chapter 6, Mitigation, describes mitigation measures that wouldbe undertaken as part of Alternatives B2 and B4.5.13 Federal Threatened and Endangered SpeciesThis section provides an overview of the impact analysis for federally listed threatened and endangered species,including the methodology for determining potential impacts to these species.5.13.1 Regulatory ContextThe Endangered Species Act of 1973 (the ESA) authorizes the determination and listing of species as endangeredand threatened, and prohibits unauthorized taking, possession, sale, and transport of endangered species.Section 7 of the ESA requires federal agencies to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by afederal agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or to modify their criticalhabitat. The ESA defines an endangered species as one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or asignificant portion of its range. A threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered in theforeseeable future. 424 The USFWS maintains a list of plants and animals that are classified as threatened orendangered and a list of species that are candidates or are proposed for possible addition to the federal list.5.13.2 Significance ThresholdsFAA Order 1050.1E defines a significant impact for endangered species as one when the USFWS or the NationalMarine Fisheries Service determines a proposed action would likely jeopardize a species’ continued existence ordestroy or adversely affect a species’ critical habitat.424 Threatened and Endangered Animals and Plants. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-241 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc