ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Project Identification Project: Cleveland E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Applicant: Robert L Davis, Director of Public Utilities City of Cleveland Kirby Avenue Cleveland, Ohio Loan Number: CS Project Summary The City of Cleveland has applied to Ohio EPA for financial assistance from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) for the E. 185 th & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) project, here forward referred to as the Marcella Road project. The Marcella Road project is located in the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and consists of the microtunnel installation of approximately 5,200 linear feet (LF) of 48-inch diameter wastewater storage tunnel. The Marcella Road project is designed to capture wet weather sanitary flows in the project area, reducing basement flooding and sewer surcharging, and convey the wet weather flows to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) collection and treatment system. The total estimated project cost is $14,810,620. Debt for the project will be repaid from monthly service charges. Ohio EPA anticipates awarding a WPCLF loan to Cleveland for the Marcella Road project in January Construction of the project will begin in the winter of 2019 and last approximately 15 months. Existing Conditions The Marcella Road project is located in a very urbanized area with separate sanitary and storm sewers. The service area is made up of approximately 1,256 parcels, consisting of 1,200 small homes and 56 commercial properties. Property owners in the service area have lodged numerous complaints of basement flooding and sewer surcharging related to storm events. The City of Cleveland relined the sanitary sewer along Marcella Road in 2006 in an effort to reduce rainfall-dependent infiltration. However, because both the sanitary sewer and the storm sewer have leaky joints and lining a sanitary mainline without addressing the laterals has marginal benefits, flooding issues continue to persist. Other sources of infiltration and inflow (I/I) 1 include numerous downspouts, cleanouts, catch basins, and area 1 Infiltration is the ground water that seeps into sanitary sewers through cracks, offset joints and other flaws in the pipe. Inflow is surface runoff that enters sanitary sewers through directly-connected downspouts, area drains, etc. E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 1

3 drains connected to the sanitary sewer. The city determined that further action is necessary to protect the system during high flows and to address the frequency of basement flooding and sewer surcharging. Alternatives Alternative 1, No Action: A no-action alternative is not feasible, since the existing sanitary sewer will continue to reach capacity during storm events, and the high frequency of basement flooding and sewer surcharging will continue within the project area. Alternative 2, Optimum Utilization of the Existing System: This alternative involves optimizing the use of the existing sanitary system, in conjunction with the microtunnel installation of approximately 5,200 linear feet (LF) of 48-inch diameter wastewater storage tunnel used to capture, store and convey wet weather flow. Alternative 3, Flow Reduction (I/I Removal): This alternative involves the relining or replacement of nearly all sanitary sewers and manholes to eliminate storm water infiltration into the system. In addition, all non-sanitary connections (roof drains, catch basins, etc.) would need to be disconnected from the sanitary sewers and connected into the storm sewers. Not only would this work require additional time and funds due to the immense increase in footage of sewer to be installed, but due to Cleveland Water Pollution Control s policy to fund only work within the right-of-way, complete disconnection of all non-sanitary inflows (roof drains) is not feasible. Selected Alternative Alternative 2, an Optimum Utilization of the Existing System alternative was chosen and involves optimizing the use of the existing sanitary system in conjunction with the microtunnel installation of approximately 5,200 linear feet (LF) of 48-inch diameter wastewater storage tunnel used to capture, store and convey wet weather flow. The storage tunnel alignment (see Figures 1 and 2) runs south along East 185 th Street from Pawnee Road to Marcella Road, and then turns west along Marcella Road to Lakeshore Boulevard, and will be constructed at a depth of feet below pavement. After installation of the storage tunnel, the existing system s dry weather conditions will remain unchanged. The proposed storage tunnel will only capture wet weather flows once the existing sanitary system is flowing at a level that is a minimum of 3 inches above dry weather flow levels. This ensures the dry weather flow will not enter the proposed storage tunnel and still allows for wet weather storage in the existing pipe. This alternative also allows for future projects that can focus on I/I improvements within the system. Flows from the proposed storage tunnel will continue west along Marcella Road and tie into NEORSD s Lakeshore Boulevard Relief Sewer (LBRS) via a 54-inch diameter pipe, which will continue conveyance to NEORSD s Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment. E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 2

4 Implementation The total construction cost of the Marcella Road project is $14,810,620, all of which the City of Cleveland proposes to borrow from the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The project service area qualifies for the standard WPCLF below-market interest rate on 30- year construction loans, which for December is 2.47 percent (WPCLF loan interest rates are set monthly and the rate may change for this loan). Borrowing at 2.47 percent will save Cleveland approximately $3,801,000 over the life of the loan compared to the current market rate of 3.77 percent. Public Participation The City of Cleveland has held public meetings to notify residents and businesses about the project, and additional meetings and public notifications will take place shortly after issuance of a construction Notice to Proceed. A public notice announcing the availability of this Environmental Assessment will be posted on City of Cleveland and Ohio EPA Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance websites. The public notice for the Environmental Assessment will be open for a 30-day public comment period. Thus, there have been adequate opportunities for information dissemination and public participation. Environmental Impacts The project has the potential to affect the following features, but the effects will be reduced or mitigated to acceptable levels as explained in the following. Surface Water and Ground Water: The majority of the Marcella Road project will not have significant adverse long-term impacts on surface water resources as work involves no stream crossings and will primarily be performed underground, under urban streets and street rights-of-way, in which the predominant cover is pavement. Minor, short-term impacts from the open-cut construction could occur. Excavation of the tunnels, shafts and trenches could lead to erosion and deposition that will be minimized as outlined in the project s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Dewatering of ground water to enable below grade work may be necessary, but engineering controls are part of the specifications to minimize these effects. No Sole Source Aquifers are present under the project, and residents obtain their drinking water from the City of Cleveland. Based on the above, the proposed Marcella Road project will not result in significant adverse long-term impacts to surface or ground waters. Terrestrial Habitat and Endangered Species: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) indicates that the endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat are located within Cuyahoga County. Trees within the project area are a mixture of isolated street trees and larger mature trees in an urban residential and commercial setting. Limited to no removal of trees within the project area is expected to take place. Tree clearing will be E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 3

5 limited to those that are necessary for the project. Other mature trees are located outside of the work areas and within the industrial, residential, and park corridors of Greater Cleveland, and would provide alternative habitat. If necessary, removal of the very limited number of trees is permitted to occur October 1 through March 31 or in coordination with USFWS. These tree clearing restrictions will further reduce any potential impacts to Indiana bats or northern long-eared bats. The endangered Kirtland s warbler and piping plover, and threatened red knot (rufa) have ranges that include Cuyahoga County. However, this project is located under urban streets and street rights-of-way, and areas of high motorist, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. These locations would not provide the habitat necessary for these species. Based on this information, the project will have no significant short-term or long-term adverse impacts on terrestrial habitat or endangered species. Air Quality, Dust, Noise, and Odors: Cuyahoga County is designated in non-attainment of the national ambient air quality standards for ozone and lead. Cuyahoga County meets air quality standards for the remaining four regulated air pollutants. The proposed project will result in a temporary increase of dust and fumes from construction activities. This will be mitigated using standard construction best management practices, such as emissions controls on motorized equipment. With these mitigation measures, any effects on air quality will be short-term, ending when construction is complete. Effects from dust, noise and odors will be unavoidable but temporary. Construction noise and vibrations will be controlled using strict specifications included in the construction documents to manage these effects. Work will be restricted to daytime Monday through Saturday unless special approval is granted. Work areas will be cleaned to minimize airborne dust and dust suppressant will be used as needed. Emissions controls on motorized construction equipment will reduce diesel odors. Once the project is complete, the sewer system will operate with no excessive noise, dust or odors beyond that of a typical sewer system. Therefore, the project will neither have significant adverse short-term or long-term impacts to air quality, nor will there be short-term or long-term significant adverse long-term impacts from noise, dust, and odors. Archaeological and Historical Resources: The proposed Marcella Road project will be implemented exclusively in an urban commercial and residential setting that has undergone extensive historical grading and filling. The vast amount of work will be performed deep underground. In the above-ground project areas, the predominant cover is pavement. Excavation and installation of large-diameter sanitary sewers and storm sewers, as well as other utilities, including water, gas, electric, and fiber optic lines have taken place in these locations and received periodic maintenance and repair activities. In-tunnel pipe excavation will take place at depths of feet, and entrance and exit pits are in locations of pavement, E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 4

6 utilities, extensive grading, development, and disruption. Contract specifications include geotechnical monitoring, physical inspections of potentially affected resources and, as necessary, remedies for affected resources. In the event that archaeological remains are found during construction, contractors and subcontractors are required under Ohio Revised Code Section to notify OHPO of any such discoveries in the project area, and to cooperate with that entity (and with Ohio EPA) in archaeological and historic surveys and salvage efforts when appropriate. Based on this information, the City of Cleveland and Ohio EPA believe that the proposed project will have no effect on unrecorded archaeological sites, or properties eligible or listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Safety and Traffic: The Marcella Road project locations are aligned with existing public rights-of-way and well-defined utility easements. A detailed traffic control plan will be coordinated with the local municipalities and impacted property owners. The plan will then be implemented during construction to manage traffic disruptions and prevent public safety problems. It will include temporary detours for lane closures caused by the project and will require the provision of emergency access at all times. Once construction is complete, the Marcella Road project areas will be restored and returned to pre-construction conditions and use. Therefore, the project will have no long-term change or adverse impacts on safety and traffic. Local Economy: The median household income (MHI) of the City of Cleveland is $26,583. The annual sewer bill, based on average usage, is $883. This represents 3.32% of the MHI, which is considered affordable given the strong public need for the project and the favorable funding. There will be no sewer assessments as a result of the project. Unaffected Environmental Features: The project will have no adverse secondary (development-related) environmental impacts, including conversion of agricultural land to other uses, since it is not designed to serve growth in undeveloped areas. No statedesignated scenic rivers or state-designated or federally-designated wildlife areas are present in or near the work sites. No wetlands are present in or near the work sites. Conclusion Based on the planning documentation, associated correspondence, public participation and the comments from interested agencies, the proposed project as designed will have no significant adverse long-term impacts on farmland, coastal zones, surface water, ground water, floodplains, wetlands, aquatic or terrestrial habitat, endangered species, state or federal wildlife areas, state-designated scenic or recreational rivers, cultural properties, air quality or the local economy. It will have no significant adverse long-term impacts with E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 5

7 respect to noise, dust and odors. It will have long-term water quality benefits that will be associated with the prevention of a public and environmental health threat related to the exposure to untreated sewage via basement backups and sewer surcharging. For further information, please contact: R. Eric Schultz Division of Environmental & Financial Assistance Ohio Environmental Protection Agency P.O. Box 1049 Columbus, Ohio Phone: (614) eric.schultz@epa.ohio.gov E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 6

8 Figure 1: General project location, in red E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 7

9 Figure 2: Project location, in red E. 185 th Street & Marcella Road Relief Sewer (Phase 1) Page 8