Environmental Assessment

Public Information Meeting – September 2010

Realignment of a Portion of a Utah Lake Drainage Basin Water Delivery System (ULS) Pipeline through Provo and Orem

Realignment of a Portion of a Utah Lake Drainage Basin Water Delivery System (ULS) Pipeline through Provo and Orem

What is NEPA?

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969

• Requires that any project using federal funds must be environmentally and sociologically reviewed– Provides detailed project description– Describes multiple alternatives– Discusses existing environmental and sociological

setting– Evaluates impacts on resources

2004 Plan Utah Lake System Proposed Action

Environmental Assessment (EA) Process for Provo Realignment

NEPA Process Action Date

Issue Notice of Intent February 25, 2010

Public scoping meeting and start of 30-day public scoping period

March 23, 2010

Notice of Availability / Release Draft EA (Start of public review and 30-day public comment period)

July 29 – Aug 30, 2010

Public information meeting September 16, 2010

Extension of public comment period Aug 30 - Sept 30, 2010

Notice of Availability / Release Final EA November 2010

Complete design work and award construction contracts Early 2011

Project History

• The ULS EIS was completed in September 2004.• The No Action Alternative in the current EA was

the preferred alternative in the EIS.

Current Project Process

• Value Engineering Study Workshop completed in December 2009 with the following recommendations– 1) Avoid the geological slide area hazards along 1450 East

and Foothill Drive.– 2) Minimize the length of pipeline in 900 East and avoid the

reach south of University Parkway if possible.– 3) Reduce costs by using the shortest alignment that

avoids (1) and (2) concerns.– 4) Alignments evaluated in this EA are a combination of

alignments recommended in the VE Study Report.

No Action Alignment/Geological Hazards

Purpose and Need

• Have not changed from those stated in the ULS EIS.

• However, the proposed realignment would:– Avoid active and historical landslides– Reduce the risk associated with geologic faults– Shorten the overall pipeline length

AlternativeAlignments

Key Resources

• Applicable to entire alignment• Specifically discussed South of 2200 North– Geologic Hazards– Traffic– Utilities– Schools and Residences

Alternative 1Geologic Hazards

• Avoids Wasatch Fault and associated splays • Geologic conditions may include liquefiable soils.

Mitigation measures would be incorporated into final design and construction planning.

Traffic • Seven Peaks Blvd, 700 N. and 2200 N. could be closed with local access only.

• 900 E could be restricted to one lane in each direction.

• 2320 N., 700 E, and 2270 N. (Opt A) would be closed with local access only.

• University Ave maintain current number of lanes.

Utilities • 700 N. has moderate utility congestion. • 900 E and 2200 N have moderate to heavy

congestion Electrical transmission line may need to be relocated along 900 E. Major storm drain crossings required along 900 E at 820 N and 900 N.

• University Ave has minimal utility congestion. Overhead utilities include power, high-voltage power, and communication lines.

Schools & Residence

• 3 schools (Wasatch Elementary, Rock Canyon Elementary and Centennial Middle)

• Brigham Young University (BYU)• Impacts residential homes that front the

alignment primarily along 700 N and 2200 N. The majority of the alignment is located in major collector and arterial streets (900 East and University Ave)

Alternative 2Geologic Hazards

• Avoids the Wasatch Fault and associated splays • Geologic conditions include liquefiable soils. Mitigation

measures would be incorporated into final design and construction planning.

Traffic • Residential streets south of 4525 N would be closed with local access only.

• 900 E could be restricted to one lane in each direction• 4525 N between Canyon Rd and University Ave would

be reduced to 1 lane with flagger or automatic traffic signal.

• Current number of lanes would be maintained in University Avenue.

Utilities • 1200 E and Cherry Ln have moderate utility congestion. 2-inch gas line and short reaches of 4- and 6-inch water lines would likely be relocated.

• Timpview Dr and 4525 N have moderate to significant utility congestion. During construction 2-inch gas line and sections of storm drain would be relocated at Timpview Dr, portions of 15-in irrigation line would be relocated at 4525 N.

• University Ave has minimal utility congestion. Overhead utilities. Approx. 85% of alignment, has 10- and 6-inch parallel sewers on both sides of street (no sewer lateral crossings)

Schools & Residence

• 3 schools (Rock Canyon Elementary, Timpview High, and Edgemont Elementary)

• Impacts residential homes along 1200 E, Apple Ave, Cherry Ln, Timpview Dr, and sections of 4525 N. Option alignments primarily located in residential streets.

Alternative 3Geologic Hazards

• Crosses landslide shown on USGS map (Baker, 1964). Alignment crosses ~1,200-ft length of landslide. • Specific geotechnical investigation and design measures would

be required to ensure stable final slope configuration • Wasatch Fault appears to cross 1450 E alignment 4 or 5 times.

Faults not located with detail or accuracy. Trenching studies would be needed to identify fault locations (Golder, 2010).• Golder Assoc evaluated the No Action/ Alt 3 in vicinity of

1450 E. Found pipeline construction on 1450 E presents least favorable alternative for pipeline integrity; potential geologic hazards (Golder, 2010). RB&G Engineering performed a geologic hazards analysis in May 2010. Hazard analysis supports Golder findings.

Traffic • Traffic considerations for Seven Peaks Blvd, 1450 E, 2200 N, 2320 N, and University Ave discussed in Alt 1. Descriptions would also apply to Alt 3 alignment. • N Temple Dr (1450 E to1200 E) closed with local access. 1200

E to 900 E, would have 2 traffic lanes.

Utilities • Utility relocation and avoidance procedures along Seven Peaks Blvd and 1450 E are described in the ULS EIS. • 1450 E and N Temple Dr have moderate utility congestion.

1450 E contains parallel 8- and 16-inch water lines which restrict the width of corridor for the pipeline.• Utility congestion along 2200 N, 2320 N, Canyon Rd, and

University Ave is discussed under Alt 1

Schools & Residence

• 2 schools (Rock Canyon Elementary and Centennial Middle) • Residential homes located along 1450 E, N Temple, and

2200 N.