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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation7.11.2 Section 6(f) Conversion RequirementsBoth Alternatives B2 and B4 would encroach on Section 6(f)-protected land at Winslow Park. The City ofWarwick will need to follow the Section 6(f) conversion process for the City-owned parcel, if either Alternativeis selected. The DOI has confirmed this in its comment letter on the DEIS stating that “once the Section 4(f)process has been completed, the City must promptly undertake resolution of the Section 6(f)(3) conversion,working directly with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the National ParkService to complete this LWCF requirement.” (Refer to Appendix A, Responses to Comments, for the entire letter).Section 6(f) Conversion RequestIf Alternative B2 or B4 is selected, the following documentation will be submitted to RIDEM and NPS tofacilitate review of the proposed Section 6(f) conversion for project-impacted Section 6(f) lands. The conversionprocess and NPS approval will likely be concluded after the FEIS is issued.1. Boundaries of property to be converted.2. Prudent and feasible alternatives analysis completed as part of Section 4(f) Evaluation.3. Replacement Areaa. Descriptionb. Appraisals of fair market value. Proof will be provided that the fair market value of the replacementarea is at least equal to that of the converted propertyc. Political jurisdiction over the replacement aread. Proof that all necessary coordination has occurrede. Any intergovernmental clearing house review that may be required (RISHPO)f. Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan Consistency documenting that the proposed conversion is inaccordance with any statewide recreation plansRIDEM’s State Liaison Officer for the NPS indicated during a meeting with FAA and RIAC that the Section 4(f)prudent and feasible alternatives analysis should be sufficient to satisfy the documentation required in #2.With respect to the conversion requirement (i.e., provision of comparable replacement property), RIAC hasbegun coordinating with the City of Warwick to identify appropriate replacement areas. RIAC and the FAA metwith the City of Warwick on January 20, 2011 to initiate this process (see Appendix C, Federal, State, City, andTribal Coordination, for the meeting notes). To meet the replacement provisions of the Section 6(f) conversionrequirements, an area of equal or greater market value would be selected as a replacement Section 6(f) property.The location and boundary of a replacement property and a specific mitigation plan will be developed incooperation with the City of Warwick, NPS, RIDEM, RIAC, and the FAA. The replacement Section 6(f) propertymay be located at the same replacement site provided or it may be located at a different site as part of theSection 4(f) mitigation plan. Regarding the intergovernmental clearing house review requirement, RIDEM’sNPS State Liaison Officer has indicated that the RISHPO will need to review and approve the conversionrequest.Chapter 7 – Final Section 4(f)/Section 6(f) Evaluation 7-26 July 2011\\Mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH07_4(f)_JUL_2011.doc