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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationshift brought the Perimeter Road within the glide slope antenna signal zone so the road was lowered to preventvehicles from interfering with the signal. In addition, steepening the fill side slopes outside of the RSA from 4:1to 3:1 reduced floodplain impacts for Alternative B4. These measures collectively have reduced the floodplainimpact in Area C for both Alternative B2 and Alternative B4. Smaller reductions in impact also occur at Area Bunder Alternative B4.Runway 23No additional minimization measures were incorporated into the design of Runway 23 for Alternative B2. Thereare no impacts to floodplain in this area.The natural floodplain values lost by floodplain fill associated with Alternatives B2 and B4 include the naturalmoderation of floods, groundwater recharge, and water quality maintenance. These losses will be mitigated asdescribed in Chapter 6, Mitigation.5.15 Coastal ResourcesThis section provides an overview of the impact analysis for coastal resources, including the methodology fordetermining potential impacts to these resources.5.15.1 Regulatory ContextCoastal zone analyses are conducted in accordance with applicable FAA guidance; National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations; 432 the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972; 433 and theRhode Island Coastal Resources Management Plan (RICRMP). 434 The CZMA is administered through the Coastal ZoneManagement Program (CZMP) under the NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. TheRhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (RICRMC) is responsible for the management, protection,and restoration of Rhode Island coastal areas, as authorized in the CZMA and the Coastal Zone Act ReauthorizationAmendments (CZARA) of 1990. 435In some areas, RICRMC coastal zone jurisdiction is expanded to include those areas within the watershedboundaries of certain coastal estuaries. These watershed areas are within the Special Area Management Plans(SAMPs). RICRMC also has authority over freshwater wetlands in the vicinity of the coast (specificallyWetland P, which would be impacted by Fully Relocated Airport Road under Alternative B2). 4365.15.2 Significance ThresholdWhile no significance threshold has been established for Coastal Resources, FAA Order 1050.1E generally statesthat FAA receive concurrence from the state on FAA’s determination that a proposed project would beconsistent with the CZM Plan. The southern portion of the Project area is within the watershed of Greenwich432 15 CFR Part 930, Subparts C, D and F.433 16 USC sections 1451-1464, as amended.434 Established pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 46-23-1 et seq.435 16 USC section 1455b.436 State of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Rules and Regulations Governing the Protection and Management of FreshwaterWetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast. (August 18, 1999).Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-251 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc