Proposed St. Landry-Edenborne Connector Ascension Parish Government Support Document 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Project Description 2.

Transcription

1 Proposed St. Landry-Edenborne Connector Ascension Parish Government Support Document Introduction On behalf of Ascension Parish Government (APG), Natural Resource Professionals, LLC (NRP) is pleased to present to the US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (USACE), this document in support of the Proposed St. Landry - Edenborne Connector (Road), located in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The purpose of this document is to provide supplemental information for the Road as it pertains to the Public Need, Alternatives, Avoidance and Minimization, and Compensatory Mitigation. In addition, this document will also specifically address comments provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1.1 Project Description The Road is located just outside of the city limits of Gonzales, LA, south/southwest of I-10 between the Hwy and Hwy 44 Interchanges (Figure 1). The Road will connect the existing Edenborne Parkway to the existing St. Landry Road, which are located within/near the existing Edenborne Traditional Neighborhood Development (Edenborne TND) and Lamar Dixon Expo Center, respectively. The Road is approximately 5,200 Linear Feet within a acre project area. There are ~5.7 acres of Jurisdictional Wetlands and ~0.13-acres of Other Waters of the United States which would be directly impacted by the Road by clearing, excavating, and filling (Figure 2). 2.0 Purpose and Need The purpose of the proposed activity is to provide efficient and accommodating vehicular transportation within a 3,600-acre Target Area of Gonzales, LA. This planned connector road will partially satisfy the need for additional connectivity that was expressed during the public involvement portion of the long rang visioning process for Gonzales. The Road is needed to improve access to two important public facilities; the Lamar Dixon Expo Center and the River Parishes Community College, in addition to providing a second ingress/egress point for the Edenborne TND. This will be accomplished by connecting the existing Edenborne Parkway to the existing St. Landry Road. 2.1 Target Area The Target Area is the general area in/around the Interstate 10, Highway 30, and Highway 44 Intersections (Figure 3). This area is a primary hub for Gonzales, and includes the Tanger Outlet Mall, Cabelas, Lamar Dixon Expo Center, and Edenborne TND, in addition to numerous hotels, restaurants, industrial service centers, government facilities, and commercial facilities. This area is also within close proximity to Industrial Plants along the Mississippi River, the Ascension Parish Airport, and Pelican Point. 2.2 Economic Growth Ascension Parish and Gonzales LA Population Growth Ascension Parish is a rapidly growing parish in Louisiana. According to the US Census Bureau, Ascension Parish was the fastest growing parish in Louisiana from April 1, 2000 to July 1, In this time period, the parish experienced a 27% growth rate, placing Ascension Parish as the 78 th fastest growing county nationwide, resulting in a population of nearly 100,000. 1

2 Within Ascension Parish, Gonzales Louisiana is also a rapidly growing area. According to city-data.com, Gonzales had a population of 10,176 in the year 2012, which represents a 24.8% increase from the year Target Area Economic Growth and Development The Target Area perhaps represents the most significant area in Gonzales for economic growth. Since the opening of the Tanger Outlet Mall in 1993, there has been steady population growth in Gonzales (theadvocate.com). Since that time there has been a significant number of new developments at the I-10/Hwy 30 development including hotels, restaurants, and most notably the Lamar Dixon Expo Center and Cabelas-anchored retail area. Industry in Ascension Parish The aforementioned growth and development in Ascension Parish is fueled by its diversified mix of private employers who have invested billions of dollars in this area (ascensionedc.com). These Major Employers include Honeywell, BASF, Avalon Rare Metals Manufacturing, Methanex, Westlake Vinyls, Crosstex, and Williams Petrochemical, all of which have made recent locations and/or expansions in Ascension Parish. These companies provide thousands of jobs to Ascension Parish, which then provides support for the commercial and residential development. 2.3 Edenborne TND and Lamar Dixon Edenborne TND The Edenborne TND is an approved 340-acre development consisting of mixed use residential, commercial, and industrial based development designed to improve occupational training and education, in order to service the industrial community in Ascension Parish. The multi-use facility is planned to include hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and other commercial use buildings. The business park will provide a range of office options for employment opportunities. The residential master plan calls for 438 single family houses and 525 multi-family units. There will also be three major anchors, including the following: River Parishes Community College-an open admission institution that parters with the communities and businesses of the river parishes region of Louisiana to provide workforce training, certificates, diplomas, and Associate Degrees (rpcc.edu). This facility is expected to have over 5,000 students Emerson Process Management-A Fortune 500 company, Emerson provides custom valve manufacturing operations for industry and will also provide a workforce training center, a first of its kind for the company in North America. This facility will employ approximately 220 people. Training will add students to the facility, and heavy truck traffic will also be part of daily operations. Alliance Safety Council Training Center-This center will offer workforce training courses on the standards of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which represents a collaboration of the LSU College of Engineering and Alliance Safety Council, based in Baton Rouge. At full operation, Alliance expects to have between 250 and 500 students per day with an employee base around 15 people. 2

3 Lamar Dixon Expo Center The Lamar Dixon Expo Center is an Ascension Parish-owned, state of the art multi-use events facility that supports charitable organizations and facilitates community development. It holds almost weekly events such as rodeos, horse shows, trade shows, science fairs, farm equipment demonstrations, auctions, and archery tournaments, and contains multiple facilities that include a chapel, RV Park, Cattle holdings, a gym, and several indoor and outdoor arenas and fields. In addition, the Lamar Dixon Expo Center will soon be home to an official emergency site capable of housing evacuees and emergency responders in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In summary, the Lamar Dixon is a successful operation that provides tremendous benefits to the Target Area. 2.2 Need for Connectivity Existing Traffic Problems The aforementioned growth in Ascension Parish has led to traffic connectivity issues, particularly in the Target Area, as this represents the primary travel corridor (current and future) for residents, workers (local and commuters), and students utilizing the many facilities within Gonzales and Ascension Parish. This includes the new River Parishes Community College and Alliance Safety Council, which will provide direct service and cooperative programs with the Industrial Facilities along/near the Mississippi River. Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux stated in April 2014 that traffic connectivity issues are a good problem to have but [things] are really, really, bad right now. Something needs to be put in because the traffic in the mornings and afternoons are terrible (wafb.com). While Highway 30 was once an old country road it is now bustling with businesses. President Tommy Martinez noted that it s probably been about 60 years since we built a new road in Ascension Parish. This lack of new road construction is evident in a 1991 United States Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map, which represents the time just before the boom in the Target Area. As illustrated in Figure 4, the major roads in the area are the same as today; however, the amount of development in the area is significantly less. Therefore, there is not enough road-infrastructure to support the development that has taken place in this area. Proposed APG Solutions Ascension Parish is planning several projects designed to improve traffic connectivity in the Target Area, with the Edenborne Connector being the first proposed project to be implemented. St. Landry Road would then be widened from two lanes to four, then connect across highway 30 to Ashland Road. Other future plans include installing four roundabouts [on Hwy 30] from Interstate 10 to St. Landry Road, and making further improvements to supporting roads around the Lamar Dixon/Cabelas area. 2.3 Traffic Analysis A Traffic Analysis was conducted by Neel-Schaffer Engineers in The forecast for Year 2035 indicates that the Edenborne Parkway Extension will attract Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 5,493 vehicles per day. The forecast is based on the Capital Region Travel Demand Model. Edenborne Parkway Extension will perform at Level of Service (LOS) A. The Edenborne Parkway Extension intersection with South St. Landry Road was modeled both as a roundabout geometry intersection and a Two Way Stop Control (TWSC) intersection. 3

4 Pages 22 and 23 of the Traffic Analysis illustrate Daily Traffic Volumes in 2035, and show No Build, and Build scenarios for various roadways around the I-10, Hwy 30, and Hwy 44 area, specifically daily traffic volumes. Figure 5 illustrates the model results of building the Edenborne Connector, specifically focusing on the following primary roads and intersections within the Target Area. By dividing specific differences between No-Build and Build scenarios into the associated No-Build Scenario to obtain a percent reduction/increase in traffic volume, the following benefits will be realized at the following locations: Hwy St. Landry Road (East Bound) -The Road will decrease traffic volume in this area by 10%. This is due to motorists bypassing this location by utilizing St. Landry Road and the Edenborne Connector Hwy St. Landry Road (West Bound) -The Road will decrease traffic volume in this area by 8%. This is due to motorists bypassing this location by using the Edenborne Connector and St. Landry Road I-10 b/t Hwy 30 and Hwy 44 The Road will decrease traffic volume on this stretch by 12 % for east-bound and west-bound traffic. This is due to motorists using the Edenborne Connector to bypass the Hwy 30/I-10 or Hwy 44/I-10 intersections when needed. I-10 On-Ramp at Hwy 44 (West Bound) The Road will decrease traffic volume on this on-ramp by 21%. This is due to motorists bypassing this location by utilizing St. Landry Road and Edenborne Connector. I-10 Off-Ramp at Hwy 44 (East Bound) The Road will decrease traffic volume on this off-ramp by 20%. This is due to motorist using St Landry Road and the Edenborne Connector as opposed to using Hwy 30, I-10, and Hwy 44. I-10 Off-Ramp at Hwy 44 (West Bound) The Road will increase traffic volume on this off-ramp by 11%. This demonstrates that motorists will utilize this off-ramp to access the Edenborne Connector. Hwy I-10 The Road will decrease traffic on this stretch by 6% (north bound) and 7% (south bound). This is due to motorists using St Landry Road and the Edenborne Connector, as opposed to using Hwy 30, I-10, and Hwy Alternatives An alternative analysis was conducted in order to determine if there was a practicable alternative to the proposed discharge which would have less adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem, while still achieving the project purpose and desired public benefits. 3.1 Alternative Analysis Scope The Alternative Analysis does not take into account the improvements of Hwy 30 and St. Landry Road, as these represent independent projects that are all needed to improve connectivity and access. Based on the lack of new major road construction in Ascension Parish for over 60 years, the Alternative Analysis is limited to the need to construct a new road within the Target Area. The Alternative Analysis assumes that a connection between Edenborne Parkway and St. Landry Road must be made, as this represents the primary objective of the project. 4

5 3.2 Benefits of Preferred Route In order to effectively evaluate alternative routes for the Road, the benefits of the current proposed route (preferred route) was first analyzed in terms wetland impacts, potential flooding issues, and general practicability of being constructed. Length/Route The proposed Road is approximately 5,200 linear feet, which is the shortest distance possible between the existing terminus of Edenborne Parkway and St. Landry Road. Wetland Impacts The proposed Road would impact approximately 5.7 acres of wetlands Flooding Issues The proposed Road contains approximately 8.27 acres of Flood Zone AE which represents areas within the 100-year flood plain. General Practicability APG has worked cooperatively with the landowners in the area who have all supported the construction of the road. In addition, the land-acquisitions that are necessary to construct the road are obtainable. 3.3 Alternative Routes Figure 6 illustrates the 3 Alternative Routes that would potentially provide the same public benefit of connectivity, improved access, and the connection of Edenborne Parkway and St. Landry Road. After identifying these alternatives, APG then reviewed each alternative in regards to length/route, wetland impacts, flooding issues, and general practicability of being constructed. This analysis is illustrated in Figure 7, and summarized below: Alternative 1 Alternative 1 is 6,000 linear feet, which is 800 feet longer than the preferred route. In addition, this route contains 11.8 acres of hydric soils (potential wetlands) and 11.4 acres of floodplain AE, both of which are greater than the preferred route. Finally, this route passes through property owned by the Ascension Parish Police Department, which serves as a buffer for the existing rifle/shooting range. Based on these results, Alternative 1 is unsuitable. Alternative 2 Alternative 2 is 5,550 linear feet, which is comparable to the preferred route. In addition, this route would be practicable to construct. However, this route contains 11.1 acres of hydric soils (potential wetlands) and 9.8 acres of floodplain AE, both of which are greater than the preferred route. Based on these results, Alternative 2 is unsuitable. Alternative 3 Alternative 3 is 6,100 linear feet, which is 900 feet longer than the preferred route. Although this route would be practicable to construct, this route contains 16.3 acres of hydric soils (potential wetlands), and 12.7 acres of Floodplain AE. Based on these results, Alternative 3 is unsuitable. Alternatives Conclusion After a review alternative routes, the current proposed route provides the shortest distance, the least amount of wetland impacts possible, and is practicable to construct. Therefore, the current proposed route remains the preferred route. 5

6 4.0 Avoidance The primary objective of the project is to connect the existing Edenborne Parkway to the existing St. Landry Road. As shown in Figure 8, there are hydric soils (potential wetlands) in between these 2 desired connection points. Therefore, avoidance of wetlands cannot be achieved. 5.0 Minimization APG has minimized impacts to the maximum extent practicable by considering the Layout and Design of the Road. 5.1 Layout As shown in Figure 9, the Jurisdictional Determination (JD) Project area contains 28.7 acres of wetlands. Based on the location and configuration of these wetlands, APG designed the Road to impact the least amount of wetlands as possible (5.7 acres). 5.2 Road Design Road Classification The US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed a Functional Classification System, which is the process by which streets and highways are grouped into classes, or systems, according to the character of the traffic service that they are intended to provide. There are three highway functional classifications: arterial, collector, and local roads (USDOT). Based on these three classifications, the Road would be classified as Arterial. The APG 2013 Major Street Plan also utilizes these functional classifications, and uses the following terms to describe the land type or area that the street or roadway is serving: Urban, Suburban, and Rural. Based on the nature of the road and its central location, the Road would be classified as Urban, which refers to town and main city areas where development may have reached quite a significant stage Typically the city core with high density residential and mixed commercial uses. Considering the above information, APG has classified this Road as an Urban Arterial, or UA-2. According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), Minimum Design Guidelines for Urban Arterial Roads and Streets, state law requires that the state highway system conform to these guidelines: UA-2 Number of Lanes: (2 minimum) 4 (typical) Width of Travel Lanes: Two Way Left Turn Lane: Minimum sidewalk width: 4-6 Road Dimensions and Features Number of Lanes: 4 Width of Travel Lanes: 12 Center Turning Lane: 15 Shared Use Path (2-way): 11 Road Bed (Fill Area): 125 ROW: 160 6

7 The proposed Road Dimensions and Features represent highest and best use of constructing a UA-2 road in this area, and conform closely to LADOTD Standards. Considering the need for the project, the rapid growth in the Target Area, and type of development in the area, APG has determined that these features and dimensions cannot be reduced for the following reasons: Number of Travel Lanes - APG cannot reduce the number of travel lanes. The Road will attract almost 5,500 vehicles per day, or 1,375 cars/lane. Reducing the number of lanes would double the count to 2,750 cars/lane, resulting in congestion. This would deny the public benefit of improved connectivity and additional access points to the Edenborne TND and Lamar Dixon Expo Center. The Road is located in the Target Area, which is a highly developed central hub in Ascension Parish that will service commercial and industrial interests in addition to single and multi-family use. As stated previously, this will be the first major road constructed in Ascension Parish in 60 years. Based on existing development and planned development already approved and considering the project purpose, it would not be in the public s interest to reduce the number of travel lanes. Width of Travel Lanes APG cannot reduce the width of the travel lanes. The Road will accommodate heavy truck/trailer traffic associated with the Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Emmerson Process Management Facility, and the Alliance Safety Council Facility. Again, these facilities are designed primarily to service the industrial-based community in Ascension Parish, which often employs heavy trucks/trailers. Therefore, for efficiency, safety, and to accommodate the surrounding area, the width of travel lanes needs to be the maximum width allowed by the LADOTD. Center Turning Lane APG cannot reduce the width of the center turn lane. Again, due to the heavy truck and trailer traffic that is anticipated, this center lane needs to be as wide as possible. In addition, there may be instances when this lane will act as a temporary parking area for large trucks associated with the Emergency Center (in Lamar Dixon) for hurricane-recovery related activities. In order to provide safe transportation for these heavy trucks/trailers, the center turning lane must remain at 15 feet. Shared Use Path APG will construct a shared use path on one side of the road as opposed to 2 sides. The minimum width for 1-way sidewalks is 4-6, therefore the proposed 11 foot, 2 way path conforms to LADOTD requirements, and cannot be reduced. Road Bed and ROW APG cannot reduce width of the Road Bed and ROW. The Road bed dimensions are needed to structurally support the aforementioned road features, associated drainage features and road utilities. These dimensions are also needed to build the road bed to appropriate floodplain requirements, all while maintaining appropriate and safe side slopes. The ROW width was selected in order for APG to adequately maintain the roadway in the future. In summary APG has minimized wetland impacts to the maximum extent practicable. 7

8 6.0 Compensatory Mitigation After a review of the public need, alternatives, avoidance, and minimization, the current proposed route and dimensions of the St. Landry to Edenborne Connector will succeed in providing the public need for additional connectivity and improved access to the Edenborne TND and St. Landry Road. The proposed wetland impacts of 5.7 acres are unavoidable. Therefore, in order to compensate for these wetland losses, APG proposes to obtain mitigation credits from a USACE-approved mitigation bank. 7.0 EPA and LDWF Comments 7.1 EPA Comments 1-The EPA does not object to the project as proposed provided that the applicant has satisfied the requirements of the 404 (b) (1) Guidelines. This should include providing compensatory mitigation within the project watershed for all unavoidable impacts that should fully offset all lost functions and values. Response: Please see Sections of this document 7.2 LDWF Comments 1-The applicant shall implement adequate erosion/sediment control measures to insure that no sediments or other activity related debris are allowed to enter any adjacent wetlands. Accept measures include the proper use of silt fences, straw bales, seeding or sodding of exposed soils or other EPA construction site storm water runoff control BMPs. These measures shall be installed prior to the commencement of construction activities and maintained until the project is complete. Response: APG will comply with the above request, and will utilize appropriate storm water BMPs throughout the construction project. 2-LDWF recommends that all forested vegetation cleared during construction activities be hauled to a non-wetland disposal location, or chipped and spread on site in a manner that is beneficial to the surrounding environment. Response: APG will dispose of all cleared vegetation in an approved disposal site as indicated in the permit application. 3-Culverts shall be maintained to ensure that existing flow of surface water is uncompromised. Response: APG will maintain all culverts to ensure that existing flow of surface water is uncompromised. 4-The applicant shall develop a mitigation plan designed to off-set impacts to fish and wildlife resources. The mitigation plan shall be approved by the resource and regulatory agencies. The approved mitigation plan shall be incorporated as part of the conditions of the permit. Response: Please see Section 6.0 of this document. 8