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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation5.16.3.1 Direct Impacts MethodologyDirect impacts were identified by overlaying Alternatives B2 and B4 on a map showing baseline conditions forFarmland of Statewide Importance. Improvement Program activities proposed within soil map units designatedas Farmland of Statewide Importance that have been previously converted to residential development or otherirretrievable uses were not considered to be impacted. Direct impacts are losses that involve open or forestedlands, including active farmland, that are designated as Farmland of Statewide Importance. The areasurrounding the Airport is intensely developed and only limited areas of farmland remain that could beimpacted. The FAA has prepared a draft Form AD-1006 for Alternatives B2 and B4 and initial scores of 83 and74 respectively were determined. On June 29, 2010, the NRCS completed the Land Evaluation portion of theform and determined an overall impact rating score of 125 for Alternative B2 and 74 for Alternative B4.5.16.3.2 Indirect Impacts MethodologyIndirect impacts are consequences that occur as the result of an action’s direct impact, but would occur at a latertime or distance from the project. Indirect impacts, as defined on Form AD-1006, may include reducing oreliminating access to farmland, reducing farmland to a size or configuration that is no longer viable, effects onlocal farm support services and industries, and proximity to improvements such as water and sewer lines.Indirect impacts were evaluated considering the direct impacts to the farmland and the criteria used in thefarmland rating for Form AD-1006.5.16.3.3 Cumulative Impacts MethodologyCumulative impacts were assessed using aerial photographs taken in 1939 as a baseline condition for the Studyand Project Areas. The 1939 aerial photograph was chosen because it is the earliest set of available photographs.Cumulative impacts include previous impacts to farmland that could be identified on the 1939 aerialphotograph and any additional impacts to Farmland of Statewide Importance that Alternatives B2 and B4would cause. Cumulative impacts also include other reasonably foreseeable future losses of farmland.5.16.4 Impact AssessmentThis section evaluates impacts from Alternatives B2 and B4 compared to the No-Action Alternative onFarmland of Statewide Importance within the Project Area.5.16.4.1 No-Action AlternativeThe No-Action Alternative would have no impact on Farmland of Statewide Importance.5.16.4.2 Alternative B2Alternative B2 would have impacts on Farmland of Statewide Importance from two elements: Fully RelocatedAirport Road and the new Integrated Cargo Facility. The partial relocation of Airport Road to accommodate safetyenhancements at the Runway 16 End would not directly or indirectly impact Farmland of Statewide Importance.Direct ImpactsA total of 10.6 acres of Farmland of Statewide Importance would be converted to Airport or roadway usesunder Alternative B2 (Table 5-127). Fully Relocated Airport Road would directly impact approximately 6.8 acresChapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-256 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc