Pullman Airport Expansion Permitting Process Overview, Wetlands and Mitigation. October 25, 2017

Transcription

1 Pullman Airport Expansion Permitting Process Overview, Wetlands and Mitigation October 25, 2017

2 Overview of the Airport Project The Pullman Airport Expansion Project includes: Realignment of Runway 6/24 to meet FAA design standards; Extending the realigned runway from 6,700 feet to 7,100 feet; Widening the runway from 100 to 150 feet; Providing taxiway infrastructure to serve the realigned runway and aircraft parking areas; Relocating or replacement of existing ground based navigational aids; Reconfiguring the existing drainage layout by utilizing a series of underground pipelines, concrete box culverts, settling basins and open concrete channels. Expanding or relocating of the existing passenger terminal to accommodate existing passenger demand; and, Relocation of an existing 115-kilovolt power transmission line in the vicinity of the Airport.

3 Google Earth Aerial Pre Construction

4 100-Year Floodplain Exhibit

5 Exhibit illustrating Runway Shift

6 Evolution of the Project Airport Master Plan ( ) Environmental Assessment ( ) Airport Site Design ( ) Mitigation Site Development ( ) Airport Site Development ( )

7 EA Study Limits (1349 acres)

8 Agency Coordination Local agencies: City of Pullman Whitman County State agencies: WDFW DOE WSDOT DAHP/SHPO Federal agencies FAA USACE FEMA USFWS

9 Wetland Delineation Sheet Index Permanent impacts to 18.2 acres of wetlands and approx. 8,500 linear feet of Airport Creek contained within the Airport Project Limits.

10 Permitting Overview 1. USACE Individual Section 404 Permit for Airport Site 2. USACE Nationwide Permit # 27 for Mitigation Site 3. DOE LOV for Mitigation Site 4. DOE Individual Section 401 Permit for Airport Site 5. DOE Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP) for Airport and Mitigation Sites 6. WDFW Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) for Airport and Mitigation Sites 7. WSDOT - General Permit for Roadway Access and Stormwater Permit for Airport Site 8. City of Pullman - Stormwater Permit and Grading Permit for Airport Site 9. City of Pullman - Floodplain Development Permit for Airport Site 10.City of Pullman - Reasonable Use Exemption for Airport Site 11.Whitman County Floodplain Development Permit for Mitigation Site 12.Whitman County Landfill Permit for Mitigation Site 13.Whitman County Shoreline Exemption for Mitigation Site

11 Wetland Mitigation Site The mitigation measures are contained within a acre conservation easement area (CEA), situated approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Town of Colfax.

12 Wetland Mitigation Overview

13 Mitigation Site The creation of approximately 8 acres of riverine wetlands. The biggest functional lifts to the CEA include: increased flood storage capacity, species richness and diversity and wildlife habitat.

14 Mitigation Site The enhancement and preservation of 14 acres of existing wetlands and planting newly excavated areas.

15 Mitigation Site The enhancement and preservation of approximately 91.6 acres of adjacent and contiguous upland buffer areas.

16 Mitigation Site The installation of 6 instream root-wads and 30 instream large habitat boulders.

17 Mitigation Site The installation of approximately 19,260 native plantings (namely, 3,200 deciduous shrubs/trees; 4,260 upland ponderosa pine or Douglas fir plantings; and, 12,800 wetland planting plugs) and 400 pounds of wetland seed mix.

18 Mitigation Site Other interrelated enhancement measures including: the installation of wildlifefriendly perimeter fencing, the installation of 2 waterfowl nesting platforms, and weed control measures targeting yellow-star thistle.

19 Photo taken March 11 th, 2017

20 Photo taken March 11 th, 2017

21 Photo taken June 9 th, 2017

22 Photo taken March 11 th, 2017

23 Lessons Learned Start permitting and land acquisition process early. Maintain active communication with all Agencies. Utilize local resources (e.g. land trusts and conservation districts). Incorporate set check-in points (e.g. 30%, 60% and 90%) linked to mitigation site design. With offsite mitigation ensure Section 106 process is complete and all permits are secured. Have contingencies/ adaptive management strategies as bid alternates. Incorporate extended warranty period into the contract documents/ specs. Confirm planting availability and materials (e.g. root wads) from local sources. Allocate irrigation system to plantings. Plan for high water events. Maintain a proactive weed control program.

24 Questions