Environmental Assessment

Cumulative ImpactsBuild Alternative ImpactOverall, contributes positively to cumulative benefits in thearea. Mitigation measures, when implemented, would helpto offset any cumulative impacts of the Build Alternative;therefore, the project is not expected to individually orcumulatively have a significant environmental effect.Farmlands/Wetlands/Floodplains/Navigable Waterways/Coastal ZonesMitigation Measure• If several projects are being constructed concurrently, Valley Metro would work with the City of Tempe tocoordinate construction efforts and appropriate short-term mitigation efforts, such as enhanced signage forbusiness during construction, to minimize disruption.• The construction contractor would be required to obtain an AZPDES permit prior to construction and to comply withthe stipulations of the permit.• The construction contractor would be required to comply with the City of Tempe’s Stormwater Management Plan.The AZPDES requires a SWPPP be developed that includes best management practices. The SWPPP wouldincorporate temporary erosion control measures during construction, permanent erosion control measures whenthe project is completed and good housekeeping practices for the control and prevention of release of waterpollutants. The SWPPP would identify the project scope, anticipated acreage of land disturbance and the pollutioncontrol measures that would be implemented to reduce soil erosion, while containing and minimizing theconstruction pollutants (including oils, gasoline and other chemicals released by construction equipment andvehicles) that may be released to surface waters through runoff during a storm event. A Notice of Intent and Noticeof Terminations would be filed with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.• The contractor would comply with all local air quality and dust control rules, regulations and ordinances that applyto construction of this project.None located within or adjacent to project area.N/A1Does not include property required for TPSS since eight options are under consideration, but only three or four will be selected.2Based on current conceptual design plans.3LOS is a quantitative measure of traffic flow and is frequently expressed in qualitative terms as LOS A (free-flow) to LOS F (congested). During the PM peak, the City of Tempe considers LOS F to beunacceptable congestion and all other LOS designations to be acceptable.4No permanent park-and-ride lot is needed.5Section 4(f) requires FTA to only approve a project using publicly owned land of a public park or recreation area, or wildlife/waterfowl refuge or historic site of national, state, or local significance only ifthere is no prudent or feasible alternative to using that land, and the project includes all planning to minimize harm resulting from use of the resource. Section 6(f) pertains to projects that would causeimpacts on, or require permanent conversion of, outdoor recreational property acquired with Land and Water Conservation Fund Act assistance.6Presidential Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, requires federal agencies to consider and addressdisproportionately high and adverse environmental effects of proposed federal projects on the health and environment of minority and low-income populations. If adverse impacts of a project falldisproportionately on these populations, additional mitigation measures beyond those already identified may be required. If strategies cannot be taken to adequately mitigate these impacts, then selectionof an alternative with less adverse impacts may need to be considered.Environmental Assessment Page ES-18 July 2015Tempe Streetcar