Lake Elmo Airport Environmental Assessment (EA)/ Environmental Assessment (EAW) Worksheet October 19, 2017 Community Engagement Panel Meeting #4 Overview of Environmental Effects
Agenda Public Event #2 Debrief Environmental Effects Overview Next Steps Panel Discussion 10-minute Public Comment Period
Public Event #2 - Debrief Public Event Attendees Public Event #2 Attendees by City/Township Public Event #1 - May 11 60 Other 17% Baytown 10% Lake Elmo 19% Public Event #2 - Aug 17 42 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 WLT 33% Stillwater 12% St. Paul 7% Pine Springs 2%
Public Event #2 - Debrief Project-Specific Comments Added Email Subscribers Public Event #1 - May 11 18 Public Event #1 - May 11 37 Public Event #2 - Aug 17 1 Public Event #2 - Aug 17 17 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Public Event #2 - Debrief Public Event #2 Agenda A. 6:00 Open House Project Orientation (Cafeteria) B. 6:30 Alternatives Presentation (Auditorium) C. 7:00 Presentation Q&A (Auditorium) D. 7:30 Community / MAC One-on-One Engagement Session (Cafeteria)
Things we did differently how did they work? Venue Oak-Land Middle School Hard copy meeting agenda for attendees Top Concerns board Hard copy presentation slides Scrolling FAQ slides Facilitated presentation and group Q&A Adjourn to one-on-one engagement session
Method for Determining Environmental Effects Preferred Alternative compared against No Action Alternative to determine effects for each environmental category No Action Alternative represents what would occur if MAC were to maintain the existing airfield configuration and runway lengths No-Action Alternative
Environmental Effects Overview NEPA categories considered in detail Air quality Biological resources Cultural resources Farmlands Hazardous materials & solid waste Land Use Noise Visual effects Water resources Cumulative impacts Other NEPA categories Climate Coastal resources DOT Section 4(f) Natural resources and energy supply Socioeconomics
Air Quality Emissions were evaluated with reference to National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and Clean Air Act requirements NAAQS pollutants include CO, NO X, SO X, O 3, Pb, and particulate matter Other pollutants identified in charts at right are provided by the FAA model for informational purposes Operational emissions 2025 with project emissions comparable to 2016 baseline emissions Will not exceed FAA Air Quality Handbook de-minimis thresholds for NAAQS pollutants Considers taxi out, takeoff, climb out, approach, landing, and taxi in operations Construction emissions Will not exceed FAA Air Quality Handbook de-minimis thresholds for NAAQS pollutants Considers all construction activities De-minimis thresholds are the minimum thresholds (in tons) for which a Clean Air Act conformity determination must be performed, for various criteria pollutants in various areas. In Washington County, these pollutants are CO and SO X.
Tree Removal (pink areas) Biological Resources Tree removal Approximately 20 acres of trees affected on airport property Off-site trees are being evaluated in coordination with FAA Dominant tree species have been identified
Biological Resources Federally-listed species Northern long-eared bat (threatened species) May be present in tree removal areas Impacts will be avoided and minimized using USFWS/USDOT-recommended measures Rusty patched bumblebee (endangered species) Documented habitat within 2 ½ miles of airport Airport is in low potential habitat zone per U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service No suitable habitat in project impact area State-listed species Blanding s turtle (threatened species) May be present in both wetland and upland areas Impacts will be avoided and minimized using MnDNR-recommended measures
Cultural Resources Cultural resources (above and below ground) were evaluated with reference to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requirements FAA makes determination of effect and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurs Architectural history 13 historic age properties within area of potential effect (APE) Railroad corridor may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Not affected by project Archaeology Two sites may be eligible for NRHP due to association with Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company Not affected by project FAA consults with Native American tribes
Farmlands Farmlands were evaluated with respect to federal Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) Approximately 38 acres of onairport farmland would be directly converted Approximately 5 acres would be indirectly converted (uneconomic remnants) U.S. Department of Agriculture consultation in process to determine significance of effects
Hazardous Materials & Solid Waste Known hazardous materials sites identified and evaluated with reference to various federal and state legislative requirements 17 known hazardous materials sites identified within one mile of Airport None of the sites will be affected by the project Groundwater contamination plume would not be affected due to water table depth
VFR Traffic Pattern Area Land Use Residential Minor changes to visual flight rules (VFR) traffic pattern area Runway 14/32 State Model Safety Zones Three houses in Model Zone A Ten houses in Model Zone B Runway 04/22 State Model Safety Zones Two houses in Model Zone A Ten houses in Model Zone B The MAC will convene a Joint Airport Zoning Board (JAZB) consistent with Minnesota Statutes Model Safety Zones
Land Use 30 th Street Realignment Ground Transportation Realigned road can accommodate forecasted traffic volume and type Travel time will increase an average of 46 seconds in either direction FAA approval required for new road rightof-way on existing airport property Wildlife Attractants No new attractants Tree removal and ag lease reductions would mean fewer attractants Site visit by certified wildlife biologist this week to confirm
Noise 2025 No Action 65 decibel day night average sound level (DNL) noise contour remains on Airport property under both No Action and Preferred Alternatives 2025 Preferred Alternative
Visual Effects Non-precision lighting systems MIRL (medium-intensity runway lights) PAPI (precision approach path indicator) REIL (runway end identifier lights) Project lighting components Relocate and extend existing Runway 14/32 MIRL, PAPI, and REIL systems Install new Runway 04/22 MIRL, PAPI, and REIL systems PAPI Source: boldmethod.com Source: Astronics Source: Airport Lighting Company MIRL REIL
Visual Effects MIRL, PAPI, and REIL systems will move closer to residential areas Distance from Runway 32 end to property line will be reduced from 2,400 to 1,900 feet Distance from Runway 22 end to property line will be reduced from 2,250 to 2,000 feet Light systems will only be fully operational when keyed on Light screening benefits of trees along Neal Avenue are being evaluated
Wetlands Wetlands evaluated with respect to federal Clean Water Act and state Wetland Conservation Act requirements Approximately 1.97 acres of direct wetland impacts Mitigation requires replacement at 2:1 ratio if purchasing wetland credits within the same wetland bank service area Requires permits from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Valley Branch Watershed District
Surface Water Net increase of 550,000 square feet impervious surface Permits required from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD) Permits will require specific performance standards for onsite stormwater management FAA standards require stormwater detention facilities be designed to be drawn down within 48 hours of a storm Structural controls and best management practices will allow for meeting MPCA, VBWD, and FAA standards Minnesota Department of Natural Resources permit may be required for public water south of 30 th Street An estimated 0.06 acres of wetland fill would occur in a floodplain Net loss of floodplain storage is insignificant when considering the volumes associated with a 100-year event No notable adverse impacts on natural and beneficial floodplain values
Cumulative Impacts Past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions 1,720 parcels developed since 1964 within two miles of project Continued urban development expected, especially west of the airport Manning Avenue planned to widen from two to four lanes Wetland impacts of project will be compared to recent and reasonably foreseeable permitted activity
Other NEPA Categories Climate Potential for preferred alternative to affect future climate conditions is limited Coastal Resources No resources present DOT Section 4(f) No resources present Natural resources and energy supply Demand for natural resources and energy will not exceed available supplies Socioeconomics No shifts in population, public service demands, or economic activity No low-income or minority populations affected No potential disproportionate health or safety risks to children
Summary of Environmental Effects (DRAFT) Environmental Impact Category Impacts: Impacts: No-Action Alternative Preferred Alternative Required Permitting, Mitigation, and/or Associated Actions Air Quality None Minimal impacts during construction None Tree removal to occur during NLEB dormant season (October 1 April 30) Biological Resources (including fish, wildlife, and plants) None Tree removal Implement April 2015 USFWS/USDOT NLEB avoidance and minimization measures Implement MnDNR Blanding s turtle avoidance measures Climate None None None Coastal Resources NA NA None DOT Section 4(f) Lands NA NA None Farmlands None 43 acres converted directly or indirectly To be determined Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention None None Dispose of construction materials and other solid waste in accordance with state and local laws. Historic, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources None None Awaiting SHPO concurrence with FAA determination of effect Residential Potential zoning conflicts Potential zoning conflicts Convene Joint Airport Zoning Board (JAZB) to develop an Airport Zoning ordinance Land Use Ground Transportation RPZ conflicts Increased travel time on 30 th Street None Wildlife Attractants Wetlands in vicinity of runway approach Wetlands in vicinity of runway approach To be determined Natural Resources and Energy Supply None None None Noise and Compatible Land Use None None Update voluntary noise abatement plan and hold educational briefings for pilots Socioeconomics, Environmental Justice, and Children s Health & Safety None None None Visual Effects (including light emissions) None Existing light system relocations and new light system installations To be determined Compensatory Mitigation Plan (assume impact will be banked) Wetlands None 1.97 acres direct wetland impact USACOE 404 Army Corps Permit and Compliance with Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act MnDNR Public Waters permit Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Water Resources Onsite Best Management Practices Stormwater None 12.6 acres increased impervious area MPCA CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and NPDES permit VBWD permit Floodplains None 0.06-acre wetland fill area in floodplain VBWD permit Cumulative Impacts None Under evaluation To be determined Green shaded items represent categories for which impacts and associated actions have been definitively determined, and will not be revisited in subsequent CEP meetings.
Next Steps November 6 Public Event #3 December CEP Meeting #5 (proposed consolidation of November & January meetings shown in current schedule at right) Early 2018 Publish Draft EA/EAW for public review and comment