Res 1999-227 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Social, Economic Impacts and Environmental Justice - As applicable, this task will address potential changes to local neighborhoods or communities and the effects on community cohesion relating to travel patterns, access, and public safety, particularly as those changes may differentially affect various social groups and minorities. The assessment will conform to FHW A guidance for compliance with Executive Order 12898, Environmental Justice. Project alternatives will also be evaluated with respect to potential effects on local economic development, secondary growth effects. tax revenues, public expenditures, employment and income, and access effects on local agricultural and commercial enterprises due to changes in traffic patterns during and after construction. Noise - The project noise assessment will inventory potential noise sensitive receptors and establish the project area's existing noise level range through traffic noise modeling. In accordance with TxDOT noise assessment guidelines, the roadway alignment for the design year will be computer simulated, and future noise levels will be predicted at each of the sensitive receptors using the FHW AlTxDOT approved Traffic Noise Model (TNM). Any required traffic noise monitoring or noise mitigation analysis will be conducted under an additional scope and budget. Geology and Soils - This task entails a characterization of the geophysical environment of the project, including an understanding of the project area bedrock geology and subsurface strata, soils, terrain units, and surface processes which may affect or be affected by the proposed project. GV A will identify geological features including karst features, caves and faults that may be recharge features for the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (see Attachment B for more detail). Data collection for these elements should focus on factors potentially impacting or benefiting these resources. Climate and Air Quality - The proposed project corridor is in an area that is currently in attainment or is unclassifiable with respect to all criteria pollutants for which a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) exists. The air quality assessment will therefore focus on the changes in roadway-related carbon monoxide (CO) and other criteria emissions that may result from the proposed improvements. Using existing literature, an analysis will be prepared of the study area's existing meteorological dispersion and air quality characteristics. Coordination with TxDOT and the Air Quality Division of the TNRCC and preliminary calculation of microscale effects with reference to the NAAQS will determine whether additional field data collection is required at selected receptor locations. Using the MOBILE 5A emission factor and the CALlNE 3 line-source dispersion model, the baseline and design year roadway configurations will be simulated and the roadway impacts will be quantified for comparison with the NAAQS, as well as with TxDOT and FHW A criteria. Water Resources - The assessment team surface hydrology specialists will collect data on surface water resources in order to identify potential pollution issues, including non-point source pollution and the presence of criteria pollutants and/or toxic substances. Baseline infonnation will include stream monitoring network segment standards, and erodability/sediment loading characteristics of project area soils. Potential water resources impacts from project alternatives will be evaluated, with appropriate mitigation measures identified. Flood management effects will be addressed through coordination with the local flood management agency. The effort will also reflect the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stonnwater general permit program for construction activities and the anticipated project Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), particularly with respect to potential mitigation benefits to be achieved through the SWPPP. Additionally, the lOG-year floodplain, as delineated by FEMA, will be identified and the impacts of the proposed project will be assessed. The EA will also analyze the proposed project potential to affect the Edwards Aquifer, not only as a groundwater source 4 PAGE 4 OF 15 OF EXHIBIT 1