Volume 2: Draft Gorst Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement

GORST PLANNED ACTION EIS | SUMMARYsoils. Given that geologic hazards and unstable soil conditions occur throughout the watershed, futuredevelopment would have the potential to impact slope stability.Gorst UGA. Under all alternatives, most impacts to soils would occur within the Gorst UGA, where the majority ofplanned development would be focused. Potential impacts associated with construction activities within the UGAwould be similar to those described for the watershed, although creation of new impervious surface would be asmaller factor in the UGA. The potential for loss of soil through erosion, soil compaction, and soil contaminationwould be present, all of which would have the potential to be minimized, to varying degrees by pertinent plansand BMPs.Planned development within the UGA would potentially result in a long-term loss of soil functions over a smallarea if currently undeveloped areas are developed in the future. It is expected that the total area of impervioussurface could increase within the UGA, leading to increased soil erosion. Future development within the UGAwould have the potential to impact slope stability in steep areas.Water ResourcesWatershed. The Gorst-Parish floodplain complex is subject to frequent flooding. Anticipated population growthand subsequent development upstream of this location would likely increase the amount of untreated surfacewater, peak runoff flows, and sedimentation. Flooding in the Gorst-Parish floodplain complex has been identifiedas priority and would eventually be addressed. Because economic development and population growth in thewatershed would occur under all project alternatives, effects would be similar and considered minor impacts onwater resources.Gorst UGA. Under all alternatives, construction activities within the UGA would have the potential to impact waterresources caused by site demolition or construction (water turbidity, debris in the water, etc.), similar to thosedescribed in Section 3.1 Geology/Soils. Overall, construction activities would result in short-term minor impacts onwater resources.Air QualityCurrent air quality regulations would prevent new developments and commercial facilities within the Gorst studyarea from generating unacceptable air pollutant emissions that would affect nearby areas during construction oroperation. Because all of the alternatives would increase population, commercial space, and industrial space in theGorst study area above existing conditions, the air pollutant emissions generated within the Gorst study area areexpected to increase. Similarly, regional vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by vehicles used by Gorst residents and thosewho work in Gorst would also increase in the Gorst study area, along with the tailpipe emissions generated bythose vehicles. However, the VMT generated by the new homes and businesses in the Gorst study area would be asmall fraction of the overall VMT generated within Kitsap County, so it is unlikely that any of the alternatives wouldsignificantly affect regional air quality.Plants and AnimalsWatershed. New construction in rural areas would result in removal of terrestrial habitats, which could injureand/or displace common species of wildlife. Migratory birds could be affected, particularly by construction thatoccurs during the breeding season. Under all alternatives, regulations to protect sensitive species would helpprevent impacts to these species during the construction process. Depending on where it occurs, new constructionin the watershed could also affect wildlife habitat connectivity through fragmentation or interruption of existingwildlife corridors.Noise associated with construction activities in the watershed would likely disturb terrestrial wildlife species,particularly in rural areas where baseline noise levels are low. Noise disturbance would constitute a short-termimpact, lasting only as long as the construction activities, with lower levels of noise associated with residential usesDraft | June 2013 1-7