Accelerated Bridge Construction Bunker Creek Bridge, Durham NH
Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …
Transcript of Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …
![Page 1: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Western Washington UniversityWestern CEDAR
Huxley College Graduate and UndergraduatePublications Huxley College of the Environment
Fall 2016
Environmental impact assessment Fever Creekbridge replacementAnalissa MerrillWestern Washington University
Gus LandefeldWestern Washington University
Kyle EastonWestern Washington University
Shiloh BrittWestern Washington University
Novella RandallWestern Washington University
Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs
Part of the Environmental Studies Commons
This Environmental Impact Assessment is brought to you for free and open access by the Huxley College of the Environment at Western CEDAR. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in Huxley College Graduate and Undergraduate Publications by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. Formore information, please contact [email protected].
Recommended CitationMerrill, Analissa; Landefeld, Gus; Easton, Kyle; Britt, Shiloh; and Randall, Novella, "Environmental impact assessment Fever Creekbridge replacement" (2016). Huxley College Graduate and Undergraduate Publications. 65.https://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/65
![Page 2: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessmentFeverCreekBridgeReplacement
ENVS 493, Fall 2016
WesternWashingtonUniversity
Authors:
AnalissaMerrillGusLandefeldKyleEastonShilohBritt
NovellaRandall
![Page 3: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
![Page 4: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
2
FeverCreekPedestrianBridgeReplacementEIAProjectTeamEnvironmentalImpactAssessment-ENVS493HuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironmentWesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA,98225October2016DearConcernedCitizen, TheCityofBellinghamisattainingpermitstocompletetheFeverCreekbridgereplacement.Previously,thispedestrianbridgeconnectedSuperiorandMichiganstreets,whereEIllinoisStreet“T’s”intoMichigan,byprovidingasafeandeasypathwaytocrossFeverCreekforresidentsofAlabamaHillandRooseveltneighborhoods.ThiswasanimportantrouteforschoolchildrengettingtoRooseveltElementary.Duetopoorconditionstheoldbridgewasdeconstructedandthetrailclosed.Thecommunitywillbenefitfromreplacingthebridge.However,theprojectmayinvolvenegativeimpactsontheFeverCreekecosystemandsurroundingwetlands.
ThefollowingdocumentincludesanEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)developedinaccordancewiththeStateEnvironmentalPolicyAct(SEPA,WAC-197-11)toassesstheimpactsassociatedwithreplacingthepedestrianbridgeoverFeverCreek.
TheEIAanalysiswilldeterminethesignificanceoftheprojectontheenvironment.Areviewofrelevantliteratureandresearchwillbeconductedtolookatcurrentconditionsandproposedimpactsontheenvironment’searth,air,water,floraandflauna,aswellastransportationconditionsandimpacts.Theproposedaction,possiblealternativeoptions,andmitigationstepswillbereviewedtoevaluateandmitigateimpacts.Thisinformationwillbecompiledintoadecisionmatrixtomakeaneducateddecisiononif,when,andhowthisprojectshouldbecompleted.
Sincerely,AnalissaMerrill,GusLandefeld,KyleEaston,ShilohBritt,andNovellaRandall
![Page 5: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
3
WesternWashingtonUniversity
HuxleyCollegeUndergraduateHuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironmentPublications
ProposedFeverCreekBridgeReplacementEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentEnvironmentalImpactAssessment,ENVS493,Spring2016Analissa Merrill WesternWashingtonUniversityGus Landefeld WesternWashingtonUniversityKyleEastonWesternWashingtonUniversityShilohBrittWesternWashingtonUniversityNovellaRandallWesternWashingtonUniversity
Disclaimer:ThisreportrepresentsaclassprojectthatwascarriedoutbystudentsofWesternWashingtonUniversity,HuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironment.Ithasnotbeenundertakenattherequestofanypersonsrepresentinglocalgovernmentsorprivateindividuals,nordoesitnecessarilyrepresenttheopinionorpositionofindividualsfromgovernmentortheprivatesector.
![Page 6: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
4
FactSheetProjectTitle:EnvironmentalImpactAssessment:FeverCreekBridgeReplacementProposedAction:TheCityofBellingham(COB)proposedactionattheFeverCreektrailcrossingsitebetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreetistoreplacetheexistingwoodenbridgewithanew,updatedbridgeinaccordancewithCOBstandardsforallrecreationalfootpathbridges.Thisactionisproposedduetohighdeteriorationoftheexistingwoodenbridge.LegalDescription:TheFeverCreekbridgeandtrailarelocatedbetweenMichiganandSuperiorStreets,whereEIllinois“T’s”intoMichiganStreet,inBellingham,Washington.LeadAgency:CityofBellingham210LottieStreetBellingham,WA98225Proponents:GinaAustin,P.E.,M.ASCEBellinghamPark&Recreation3424MeridianStreetBellingham,WA98225(360)[email protected]:CityPermits–Clearing;Grading;CriticalAreas;PublicWorksStormwater;SEPADeterminationStatePermits–HydraulicProjectApprovalFederalPermits–Nationwidepermit;WaterQualityApprovalPreparedbyandAuthorContributions:ShilohBritt–Scribe,Tables&Figures,Acronyms,EarthSoils,GlossaryKyleEaston–Factsheet,Background,AirQuality,WaterQualityresearchGusLandefeld–ExecutiveSummary,FloraandFauna,GeographicInformationSystemsAnalissaMerrill–Background,WaterQuality,AirQualityresearch,ConclusionNovellaRandall–CitizensLetter,Transportation,Formatting,andPrimaryEditorDistributionList:Dr.TamaraLaninga,AssistantProfessorDepartmentofEnvironmentalStudiesHuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironment
![Page 7: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
5
WesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA98225HuxleyMapLibraryArntzenHall,Room101WesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA98225WilsonLibraryWesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA98225Acknowledgement:Specialthankstothefollowingpeoplefortheiradditionalassistance:Dr.TamaraLaninga,WWU,WashingtonGinaAustin,COB/BellinghamParks&RecreationIssueDate:TuesdayDecember6,2016PublicPresentation:Date–ThursdayDecember8,2016beginningat2:30pmLocation–CityHallCouncilChambers,210LottieStreet,Bellingham,WA98225
![Page 8: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
6
TableofContents
CitizensLetter……………………………………………………………………..…………………..………………………….2FactSheet……………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….4TableofContents………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………..…6ListofTablesFiguresandAcronyms……………………………………………………………………………….….91.0 ExecutiveSummary………………………………………………………………………………………….…….11
1.1 Purpose……………………………………………………………………………….……………….……..111.2 SiteDescription…………………………………………………………………………………………..111.3 ProposedActionandAlternatives………………………………………………….……………111.4 NeedforAction…………………………………………………………………………………….…….121.5 ProposedAction………………………………………………………………………………….………121.6 AlternativeAction……………………………………………………………………………….………121.7 NoAction………………………………………………………………………………………….………..121.8ImpactMatrix…………………………………………………………………………………………….…….131.9Recommendation……………………………………………………………………………………………..13
2.0 Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………....142.1 FeverCreek………………………………………………………………………………………………...142.2 LegalContext……………………………………………………………………………………………..142.3 ProposedActionPermits…………………………………………………………………………..…15
3.0 EnvironmentalElements………………………………………………………………………………..……….173.1 Earth……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….17
3.1.1 ExistingEnvironment…………………………………………………………………….…173.1.2 ProposedAction……………………………………………………………………….…....19
Impacts…………………………………………………………………………..…………….…19Mitigations……………………………………………………………………..………………20
3.1.3 AlternativeAction……………………………………………….…………………………..20Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………….………21Mitigation……………………………………………………………..……………..…………..21
3.1.4 NoAction……………………………………………..………………………..………………..21Impacts……………………………………………………………..………..……………………21
3.2 Water………………………………………………………………………………………………….………213.2.1 ExistingConditions…………………………………………………………………….…….213.2.2 ProposedAction………………………………………………………………….…………..22
Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………….………22Mitigation…………………………………………………………………………………………22
3.2.3 AlternativeAction………………………………………………………………….………..23Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………….………23
![Page 9: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
7
Mitigation…………………………………………………………………………………………233.2.4 Noaction………………………………………………………………….……………………..23
Impacts……………………………………………….……………………………………………233.3 Air……………………………………………………………………………………….………………………23
3.3.1 ExistingConditions…………………………………………………….…………………….233.3.2 ProposedAction……………………………………………….……………………………..26
Impacts…………………………………………………………………….………………………26Mitigation……………………………………………………….……………………………….27
3.3.3 AlternativeAction……………………………………….…………………………………..28Impacts…………………………………………………………………….………………………28Mitigation……………………………………………………………….……………………….28
3.3.4 NoAction………………………………………………….……………………………………..28Impacts……………………………………………………………….……………………………28
3.4 Flora&Fauna……………………………………………………………………………..……………….293.4.1 ExistingEnvironment…………………………………………………….…………………293.4.2 ProposedAction…………………………………………………….………………………..29
Impacts……………………………………………………………………….……………………29Mitigations………………………………………………………………….……………………29
3.4.3 AlternativeAction………………………………………….………………………………..30Impacts……………………………………………………………………….……………………30Mitigation…………………………………………………………………….………………….30
3.4.4 NoAction……………………………………………………….………………………………..30Impact……………………………………………………………………………………………..30
4.0 BuiltEnvironmentElement4.1 Transportation…………………………………………………………………..…………………………30
4.1.1 ProposedAction…………………………………………………..……………………………31Impacts……………………………………………………………..……………………………..31Mitigations………………………………………………….…………………………………..31
4.1.2 AlternativeAction………………………………………….…………………………………31Impacts………………………………………………………..…………………………………..31Mitigations……………………………………………….……………………………………..32
4.1.3 NoAction…………………………………………….…………………………………………..32Impacts……………………………………………..……………………………………………..32
5.0 ImpactMatrix………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6.0ConclusionandRecommendation……………………………………….……………………………………….327.0Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………..338.0References……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….34
![Page 10: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
8
ListofTables,FiguresandAcronyms
TablesTable1.DecisionMatrixTable2.DecisionMatrixKeyTable3.EngineemissionlevelsforvariouscompoundsTable4.EngineemissionlevelsforvariouscompoundsTable5.DecisionMatrixTable6.DecisionMatrixKey
FiguresFigure1.GISNetworkAnalysisMapFigure2:FeverCreekShortPlatFigure3:SatelliteimageofFeverCreekShortPlatFigure4:TestPitLocationMapoftheFeverCreekBridgeFigure5:MapoflocationofWetlandAandBlocatedonandneartheworksiteFigure6:FeverCreekPedestrianCountsAcronymsAQI:AirQualityIndexCO:CarbonMonoxideCOB:CityofBellinghamCSBC:CrushedSurfacingBaseCourseFAC:FacultativeWetlandIndicatorRatingFACU:FacultativeUplandWetlandIndicatorRatingFACW:FacultativeWetlandIndicatorRatingft,ft2:Feet,SquarefeetIPCC:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeL.E.G:LicensedEngineeringGeologistNAAQS:NationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsNOx:variousNitrogenOxidecompoundsNRCS:NaturalResourcesConservationServiceNWCAA:NorthwestCleanAirAgencyO3:OzonePAH:PolyaromatichydrocarbonsPb:LeadP.E:licensedcivilengineerwithgeotechnicalexperienceppm:partspermillionPM:ParticulateMatterPsf:PoundpersquarefootROW:RightofWaySEPA:StateEnvironmentalPolicyAct
![Page 11: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
9
SO2:SulfurOxideWAC:WashingtonAdministrativeCodeWSDOT:WashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportationWWU:WesternWashingtonUniversity
![Page 12: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
10
1.0ExecutiveSummary1.1PurposeThepurposeofreplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeistoprovideasafe,reliable,andenvironmentallyresponsiblebridgerunningeasttowestbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.CurrentlythereisnopedestrianbridgeconnectingthetrailthatcomesfromtheEIllinoisStreetRightofWay(ROW)andcrossesFeverCreek.Theformerbridgewasremovedprimarilyduetopublicsafetyconcerns,asitsawheavyusebyelementaryschoolchildrenwhowouldwalkfromtheirhomesintheRooseveltandAlabamaHillneighborhoods.Thisdocumentwillexaminetheimpactsofreconstructingthebridgeandconsidertwodifferentalternatives.
Figure1:AnetworkanalysisforpedestriandetoursduringtheclosureoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridge.ThenetworkanalysiswasperformedinArcGISandintendedtoprovideabasisforpedestriandetours.Tobenotedisthattherearenosidewalkspresentonthedetourroutes.(CreatedbyGusLandefeld2016).
1.2SiteDescriptionTheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgerunseasttowestalongtheEIllinoisStreetROWbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.FeverCreekitselfisanarrowcreekrunningnorthtosouthandfeedingintoWhatcomCreekasatributary.Currentlythereisnopedestrianbridgein
![Page 13: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
11
place,forcingformeruserstowalkonstreetswithoutthesafetyofsidewalksortoillegallycrossthecreek,whichdamagesthefragileecosystem.
1.3ProposedActionandAlternativesThefollowinglistofactionsincludesaproposedaction,analternativeaction,andanoactionalternative.ThesearetheoptionspresentedtotheCityofBellinghaminregardstowhatshouldbedonewiththeFeverCreekpedestrianbridge.
1.3.1NeedforActionReconstructionoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeisnecessarybecauseitprovidesasafeandreliablewayforitsprimaryusergroupofRooseveltElementarySchoolstudentstowalktoandfromschool.Ifthebridgeisnotreplaced,thenelementaryschoolstudentsdonothavetheoptionofwalkingtoschoolonapaththatisfreefrommotorizedvehiclesandthereforelesssafethanthepedestrianbridge.
1.3.2ProposedActionTheproposedactionforthereplacementoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeistoinstallatemporarybridgethatabidesbythestandardsoftheCityofBellinghamassoonaspossiblepriortowinter.Thentoreplacethetemporarybridgewithapermanentbridgeatthebeginningofthesummer.BecausestudentsattendingRooseveltElementarySchoolareoneofthelargestusergroupsofthebridge,constructionofapermanentbridgewouldoccurafterJune15,2017whenstudentsareoutofschoolanduseofthebridgedrops.TheCOBwouldneedtoensurethatthewetlandintheareasurroundingthebridgeisproperlyrestoredandthebridgeisconstructedwithenvironmentalmitigationinmind.
1.3.3AlternativeActionAnalternativeactionistoforegoinstallingatemporarybridgeforthewintermonthsandinstallapermanentbridgeimmediatelytoreopenthetrail.Theoverallobjectiveofthealternativeactionwouldbethesameastheproposedactionwiththeonlydifferencebeinginthetimeofyearofconstructionandanincreaseinenvironmentalmitigationefforts.
1.3.4NoActionThenoactionalternativeistoleavetheFeverCreekbridgesiteunaltered.
1.4SummaryofSignificantImpactsFeverCreekflowssouthandfeedsintoWhatcomCreekandeventuallyintoBellinghamBay.BothFeverCreekandWhatcomCreekaredesignatedassalmonbearingstreamsand
![Page 14: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
12
constructionofanewpedestrianbridgenearRooseveltElementarySchoolhasthepotentialtodetrimentallyimpactthecreek.Thiscouldcomeintheformofpollutionfromconstructionvehicles,debrisbeingcaughtinthecreek,anddestructionofpotentialsalmonhabitats.
Theprimarypotentialenvironmentalimpactswouldbepositivebecauseofnecessarywetlandrestorationefforts.Littledamageofthesitewouldoccurduetotherelativelysmallsizeoftheproject.Mostoftheconstructionperformedwouldrequirelittletonovehicleassistedwork,thereforereducingtheamountofcarbondioxideandothernoxiousfumesemitted.Theproposedactionwouldonlyrequireafewenvironmentalmitigationeffortstokeepenvironmentalimpactsatminimumlevels.
1.5ImpactMatrixTable1showsthedecisionmatrix,whichoutlinesthesignificantimpactstoenvironmentalelementsanalyzedfortheproposed,alternative,andnoactionalternatives.
Table1:DecisionMatrix
SEPAElements ProposedAction AlternativeAction NoAction
Earth -2 -1 -1
Water +1 -2 -1
Air -1 -1 0
Flora&Fauna +2 +1 -2
Transportation -1 +1 -2
Total -1 -2 -6
Table2:DecisionMatrixKey
1.6RecommendationsWerecommendthattheproposedactionispursuedasitwouldreduceenvironmentalimpactswhencomparedtothealternativeandnoactionplans.ReplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgewouldhelpprovideasafepathforelementaryschoolstudentstocommuteonfoottoandfromschooleachdaybyminimizingtimespentawayfrommotorizedtraffic.
Score Impact
+1to+2 PositiveImpact(2beingsignificant)
-1to-2NegativeImpact
(2beingsignificant)
0 ZeroImpact
![Page 15: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
13
2.0 Background2.1FeverCreekThepurposeofreplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeistoprovideasafe,reliable,andenvironmentallyresponsiblebridgerunningeasttowestbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.ThebridgeconnectstheRooseveltneighborhoodwithRooseveltElementarySchool.Thepreviousbridgewasdeemedunsafeduetoageandstructuraldamage.Theonlystructureremainingarethesupportstructuresonthecreekbank.CurrentlythereisnopedestrianbridgeconnectingthetrailthatcomesfromtheEIllinoisStreetRightofWayandcrossesFeverCreek.FeverCreek’sheadwatersbegininFeverCreekNatureAreaandflowthroughRooseveltNatureAreaandprivateresidencesbeforereachingtheworksite.Duetotheproposedworksite’scloselocationtoprivateproperties,atributarytoWhatcomCreek,andtwolargewetlandsinthearea,environmentalimpactsneedaddressing.Theimpactsthisdocumentconsidersincludeearth,water,air,floraandfauna,andtransportation.Seasonaldifferencesbetweentheproposedandalternativeactionsinregardstoconstructionofthebridgeisunderconsideration.Theproposedactionputsconstructionofthebridgeinsummerwhenflowratesinthecreekwillbelow.Thealternativeactionputsconstructionofthebridgeinwinterwhenflowratesarehigher.Pedestrians,particularlyschoolchildren,continuetotakethisroutetoschool,causingerosionproblemsandcreatingafurtherneedforatimelysolution.
2.2LegalContextThebridgelocationatFeverCreekandtheaccompanyingtraildonothaveastandardlegaldescription.Thereisnomeetsandboundsdescriptionofthepropertyandalthoughthearea
Figure2:FeverCreekShortPlat,lyingtotheNorthoftheEIllinoisROW(CourtesyofChicagoTitleCompany)
![Page 16: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
14
mayunofficiallybedesignatedasaneasementbelongingtotheCOB,thereisnorecordofthisinrelationtotheneighboringshortplats.In1889,EastIllinoisStreetwasdedicatedtothepublic.ThetrailisdescribedasthatunopenedportionofEastIllinoisStreetlyingbetweenMichiganStreetandSuperiorStreet.
Figure3:SatelliteimageofFeverCreekShortPlatshowingproposedactionlocation(CourtesyofChicagoTitleCompany)
2.3ProposedActionPermitsThisprojectwillrequire5permitsfromtheCOB,thisincludes:agradingpermit,aclearingpermit,acriticalareaspermit,oneforpublicworksstormwater,andaSEPAdetermination.Thegradingandclearingpermitsarenecessaryforanyworkthatisdoneregardingthemovementofsoil(specificallyexcavationandsoilfill)andvegetationclearingrespectivelyforworkinandaroundtheproposedactionsite.Thecriticalareaspermitisdesignedtoprotectsensitiveenvironmentalareasandrestorethemasneededasbestaspossibletotheiroriginalstateafteranyprojectasbeencompleted.Almostanyprojectthatinvolvesthemovementofsoilwillalsorequireastormwaterpermit,alongwithanyadditionalworkthatdealswithimpervioussurfaces.Finally,thisprojectwillrequireaSEPAdeterminationforreasonsthatwillbedescribedwithinthisreport.
Inadditiontocitypermits,thisprojectwillalsorequireoneWashingtonstatepermit.Thehydraulicprojectapprovalpermit,issuedbytheDepartmentofFishandWildlife,isrequiredfor
![Page 17: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
15
anyprojectthatoperationsnearanystatewaters.Thisrequirementisspecificallydesignedforprotectionofaquaticwildlife.
Finally,thisprojectwillrequiretwofederallevelpermits:thenationwidepermit,andawaterqualityapprovalpermit.ThenationwidepermitisenforcedbytheUnitedStatesArmyCorpsofEngineers,andbothpermitsdealwithsitewaterqualityunderthe1992CleanWaterAct.
3.0 EnvironmentalConditions
3.1Earth
3.1.1ExistingConditionsOnSeptember15,2015,aWhatcomCountySoilSurveywasconductedattheproposedFeverCreekbridgereplacementsite.ThesurveyrevealedthatonesoiltypeexistednearorwithintheproposedsiteparcelandwasclassifiedatWhatcomSiltyLoamconsistingof3to8percentslopes(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).
Furthermore,theElementalSolutionssoilsurveyindicatedthathydricsoilsarefoundthroughouttheparametersofthestudysiteandarethoughttobeassociatedwiththedepressionalfeaturesofthesite.ThetexturesofthesoilwerenotdiscoveredtobeconsistentwiththatoftheonlineNaturalResourceConservationService(NRCS)date,andthesoilsinstead,whichweregenerallydisturbed,couldbepotentiallyclassifiedasacombinationsoiltype:WhatcomSiltyLoamandWhatcomSandyLoam.
ElementalSolutionsobservessoilstohavehydricindicators.Multipletimesofsoilswerefoundatthesiteincludingsandyloam,siltyloam,andotherloamysoils.Furthermore,WashingtonStateDepartmentofNaturalResourcesdesignatedthesoilsasglaciomarinedrift.(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).InformationonexistingsurfacegeologicconditionswascompiledbytheWashingtonState
Figure4TestPitLocationMapoftheFeverCreekBridgeRH2EngineeringIncAugust23,2016.COBFigure4:TestpitlocationmapoftheFeverCreekBridge(RH2Engineering,Inc.2016;COB)
![Page 18: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
16
DepartmentofNaturalResources(WADNR). Thecurrentexistingpathleadingtotheformerbridgeconsistsof4to6inchesindepthofcrushedlimestonebase.Nativesandyclay,whichhasbeenidentifiedasglaciomarinedriftandincludesvariableorganicsthatreduceincontinuationasdepthincreases,werealsofound.(Burwell,D.,2016)
Thetestpits,detailedintheGeotechnicalreport,indicatedthatthesiteisunderlainbyglaciomarinedriftofvaryingdensities(softtoverystiff),withatendencytobemedium-stifftoverystiffintheareasuplandfromsurfaceto10feetto1footbelowgroundsurface.Theglaciomarinedrift,itself,consistsofvaryingamountsofsand,gravel,silt,andtheoccasionalboulderclusterorstandaloneboulder.Observedvariationoftheglaciomarinestiffnesscanbeattributedtothedryingprocessofthesurface.GroundwaterelevationsandsoilsaturationlevelswillvarywiththeseasonandprecipitationeventsinadditiontotheproximitytotheFeverCreekstreamandadjacentwetlands(Burwell,D.,2016).
Intheentiretyoftheproposedproject,excavationtothesubgradewillbemandatoryandrequiretheremovalofexistingnativeearthandfillcomposites.Thiswilllikelyentailtheuseofheavyearth-movingmachinery.(Burwell,D.,2016)Whenexcavatingearthfortheretainingwallandbridgefoundation,theexcavationmustoccurdeepenoughtoensurethattheexistingnativesubgradeisconsistentincompositionofin-situsoilsthataresuitable.Thein-situsoilsmusthaveacompositionthatwillnotallowforbearingonthesoftlayersorlocationsthatlackshearstrength.(Burwell,D.,2016)
Topsoilzonesincludebioturbated,whichisazoneofweatheredand/ororganictopsoil.Thiszonehasdepthsvaryingfrom1.5to3.0feet,whichisdependentuponadjacenttreelocationsandpreviousconstructionactivity.Thistopsoilmaybelaterusedforlandscapingpurposes.
Earthmaterialorfillexposedatthebaseofexcavationthatisdeemedunsuitablebythegeotechnicalstandards(seegeotechnicalreport)istobeover-excavatedandreplacedwithcrushedsurfacingbasecourse(CSBC)pertheWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT)2016Specifications(Burwell,D.,2016).
Asinrelationtosoils,footingsforretainingwallsandstructuresaretobeplaceddirectlyona6-inchsurfaceofunyieldingandfirmCSBC.Additionally,thechosenareamustbefreeofallloosematerial.SubgradebelowtheCSBC,ifnative,shouldbecomprisedofstiffglaciomarinedriftandfreeoforganicmaterials.Thefootingsforthestructures,toprovideprotectionfromwinterfrostpenetration,aretobeatleast18inchesbelowgroundsurface.(Burwell,D.,2016).
Theprojectedprojectdoesnothavereasontoexcavatemorethan3.5feettoreachthefoundationofthebridgeabutment;however,thiswillnonethelessresultindisruptionofnativesubgrade.ThiswillleavetheNativesubgradewillbesusceptibleto
![Page 19: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
17
degradationwhichwillincludethelossofshearstrengthifexposedtoconstructionequipmentand/orweather.
Intheeventofaprecipitationeventpriortosubgradeimprovementsandthein-situearthbecomesaturated,thesaidnativesubgradewilllikelybecomeunsuitableforsupportingastructuralfoundation.Ifnativesoilishighlymoisturesensitiveitwillnoteffectivelycompact,andbecomesevenmoresooncedisturbed.Shouldnativesoilsbeingsoft,theremustbeanadditional12-inchlayerofquarryspallsaddedandcompactedwiththedriftintothesoftareas.Thisallowsforanincreaseinshearstrength.Thiscompositemustbeallowedtoset,protectedfromrain,foraperiodof24-48hours,thiswillallowthecompositeto“heal”andallowthepourwaterpressuretodissipate.
Thereexistsahighlevelofvariabilityforthedriftandweatherconditionsdependingonthetimeofyearinwhichtheconstructiontakesplace.Itisforthisreasonthatitisoftheutmostimportancethatproperinspectionofthenativesubgradeoccurs(tobecompletedbyacertifiedP.EorL.E.G)beforeanyconstructionbegin.
Inregardstobearingcapacityandthestrengthoftheearth,theglaciomarinedriftwithpreparationcansupportevenlyspreadloadsupto3,000poundspersquarefoot(PSF)-Thisallowsforthenetallowableweightbearingcapacity.Thiscapacitymaybeincreasedbyone-thirdforshorttermwindorseismicevents,thusallowingthenewbearingcapacitytobe4,000PSFforashortamountoftime.Again,footingsshouldbeaminimumof18incheswidetoallowforanevenspreadloadtothedrift.(Burwell,D.,2016)
3.1.2 ProposedActionImpactsThetemporaryfootbridgeistoberootedassoonaspossible,duringthewintermonths.Thiswilltakeplaceduringthewetseasonduringatimeofpeak,ornearpeakflowsofFeverCreek;duringthistimeframesoils,willbethemostsaturated.Becausethesoilislesssaturatedduringthesummermonths,thegroundwillbebetterequippedtobearaload,especiallyduringtheconstructionphase.Itisimportanttonotethatwithoutsoilbanksupportsimplemented,theseasonablyhigherflowsofFeverCreekwillcontinuetowashawaysoilsoftheembankmentwhichwillleadtoalossofbankstability.
Duringthesummerof2017,asecondconstructioneventwilloccurwhereinthetemporarybridgewillberemoved,andapermanentbridgewillbeconstructedinitsplace.ThisactionistobecompletedinthesummerwhenFeverCreek’sflowsareattheirlowestandwhentherehashistoricallybeentheleastamountofsoilsaturationoftheyear.Becausesoilswouldbeimpactedwhentheyweremorearid,andthereforemoredry,therewouldbetheleastamountofcalculatedimpactsforaconstructionprojectto
![Page 20: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
18
occur.Becauseofthepreviousconstructionmonthsbefore,thesoilwillbecompromisedandlikelynotstructurallysoundwithoutaddedmaterials.
MitigationsOncenativesoilisdisturbed,itwillnotbefittouseasstructuralfillasthenativesoilwillnotcompacteffectivelyduetoitshighmoisturesensitivity.Nativesoilistobememovedoffsitesoasnottomixwiththestructurally-soundfill.Additionally,specialmeasuresmayneedtobetakentoensurethestabilityofthebankfromfurtherdegradation.Temporaryfootbridgemitigations:Toaccommodateforthewetseason,duringtheproject’sconstructionallworkingsurfacesthatundergorepeatedorregularfoottrafficshouldbecoveredwithageotechnical fabric.Thisistoensuretheseparationofthedriftandtoaideintheassistanceofspreadingthenewloadoutonthealreadypresentnativesoils.Afterthegeotechnicalfabric,hasbeenplaced,itisoftheutmostimportancethataCSBClayerbeplaced,thiswillallowfortheprotectionofthenativein-situsoilsfrombecomingdisturbedorloosefromthecommencingconstruction.(Burwell,D.,2016)
CommonlyobservedwetseasonpracticesinconjunctionwiththeBestManagementPracticesshouldbeimplemented,theseincludeconstructionandtruckwash-downareastoreducetheamountoferosionandotheroff-siteimpacts.(Burwell,D.,2016)
PermanentreplacementbridgeMitigations:DuringthedrysummerseasonFeverCreekflowrates,willbeseasonallylowandthereforethegroundwillbetheleastsaturatedandmoststable.Despitethis,wetseasonprotocolshouldbefollowedduringthedryseasonaswell,howeverwilllikelynotbeasdrastic.Itisadvisedthataconstructioneventoccurduringatimeofnorainsothatsoilswillbetheleastsaturatedandmoststabletosupportconstructionequipment.
Priortoeachconstructionevent,alicensedP.EorL.E.Gmustevaluatetheconditionofthesoilsimpactedanddecideifthesoilsandsurroundingeartharestableenoughtosupportaconstructionevent.Onceapprovalisobtained,constructionmaybeginwithadditionalmitigationsasassignedbytheevaluatingP.E.orL.E.G.
3.1.3 AlternativeActionImpactscompletedinwinterImpactswillbethesameasaboveforthewetseasonandthealternativeaction.MitigationMitigationmeasureswillbethesameasaboveforthewetseason.
![Page 21: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
19
3.1.4 NoActionImpactsAnoactiondecisionwouldresultinnoadditionalnetimpactstotheearthandearthsoils.Theseelementswillcontinuetohaveanaturalseasonalvariabilityhastheyhavedoneforcenturies.
3.2Water3.2.1ExistingConditionsTheproposedsiteofthenewpedestrianbridgehasmanyconcernssurroundingmanipulationofexistingwaterconditions,mainlysurroundingFeverCreek,andwetlands.TheApril2016wetlanddelineationsurveyhighlightedtwodistinctwetlands,WetlandAandBasshowninFigure5fromElementSolution,intheareaproposedforthenewbridge.ThewetlandsareclassifiedascategoryIIandIII,andbothgettheirwaterfrompuddlingrainwaterandaredryinsummer.Thetotalareathatthewetlandcoversisover4,550ft2,whichismostthesite.ThedirectionofthewaterflowisfromthewetlandsonsiteintoFeverCreek.Wetlandsarenotexpectedtobeinfluenceddirectlybytheriverinesystem.(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016)FeverCreekisafirstorderstreamandoneofthetributariestoWhatcomCreek.TheheadwatersstartinFeverCreekNatureAreaandflowthroughRooseveltNatureAreaandprivateresidencesbeforeitreachestheproposedsite.Waterqualityduetoincreasedurbanizationisimpaired,includinghighlevelsofturbidity,fecalcoliform,etc.(Shannahan,J.,LaCroix,R.,Cusimano,B.,&Hood,S.,2004).Streamflowinthewinterishigherthaninthesummer,duetotheseasonalnatureofthewetlandsfromwhichthewaterflows(ElementSolutionset.al,2016).
BellinghamHabitatRestorationreviewtherestorationofthewetlandsalongFeverCreekwereconsideredahighpriority,whileFeverCreekitselfhasalowpriorityforrestorationduetoitsverylowexistinghabitatfunctions(LaCroix,R.,2015).AnotherwatersourceisthestormwaterdraincomingfromRooseveltElementarySchool.Thelocationthattheelementaryschoolwaspreviouslyawetland.Thewater
Figure5:MapoflocationofWetlandAandBlocatedonandneartheworksite(ElementalSolutions2016).
![Page 22: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
20
drainingfromthatoldwetlandflowsthroughthestormwaterpipesundertheproposedsiteandintothecreek.(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016)
3.2.2ProposedAction Impacts
Thetemporaryfootbridgewillbeinstalledinthewinterwhenthepeakflowseasonbegins.Thiswillmostlikelyaffectthesedimentreleaseintothestream,aswellaspossiblefishhabitatdisruption(M.JRobertson,D.A.Scruton,R.S.Gregory,andKeithD.Clarke,2006).
Duringthesummermonths,bothwetlandsonthesitewouldbeseasonallydry,andsurfacewaterinthewetlandareaisdry.Subsurface/Groundwaterflowintothestreamwouldbeatitsminimum,andthuswouldcauseFeverCreektobeatitslowestflowoftheyear(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).Therefore,duringconstruction,thewaterinFeverCreekwouldbeminimallyimpactedfromincreasedturbidityfromtheincreaseoferosionoftheriverbanks.ThereisalsominimalriskofPolyaromatichydrocarbons(PAH)fromtheheavymachineryusedenteringthewatertablenowduetonosurfaceflow.
Mitigation
Tofurtherminimizeerosionandincreasedturbidityduringthereplacementbridgeconstruction,theCOBParksDepartmenthasaprocedurethatisusedinallsmallbridgereplacements.Thisprocedureincludesusingdamsandpumpstodivertthewateraroundtheconstructionsite,thenplacingmeshcatchscreentoreduceerosionwithintheworkarea.Ifanyfishweretobeneartheworkarea,theywouldbetransferredupordownstreamoftheworkareabytrainedbiologists(GinaAustin).
Impactstothewetlandmustbemitigatedatarateofthreetoonefortotalimpactedarea.Theymustimprovetheotherexistingwetlandsalongthesite,andsurroundingarea(WSDOT,2008).
3.2.3AlternativeAction Impacts
Duringthewintermonths,bothwetlandsatthesitewillbewet,andsurfacewaterisexpected.Subsurfaceandgroundwaterflowintothestreamisexpectedtobeatmaximumflowrates,andthusFeverCreekwouldbehighalongitsbanks(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).Theriskofsedimentsenteringthewaterwouldbehigh.ThereisahighpotentialforchemicalssuchasPAH’sfromheavymachinerythatwouldbewashedintothestreamorpoolinthewetlandduetohighsurfaceflow.
![Page 23: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
21
MitigationSmallbridgereplacementmitigationproceduresoutlinedbytheCityofBellinghamParksDepartmentwillbethesameasabove,howevermoredifficulttoimplementduringthewinterduetotheincreasedstreamflowthroughthearea.Mitigationfortheareaofthewetlandsimpactedbythebridgelocationmovingarethesameasabove.
3.2.4NoAction
ImpactNotreplacingorplacingatemporarybridgewillcausemorefoottrafficthroughFeverCreekandWetlandA,erodingthebanksfurtherandharmingthewetland.Fishhabitatsuchaspebblecountandsedimentationmaybeimpacted.Fecalcoliformlevelscouldalsoincreaseifthetemporaryfootbridgeisnotinstalled(ElementSolutionetal.,2016).
MitigationRecommendedwetlandrestoration(LaCroixR.,2015),andclosureofthewalkwayissuggested.
3.3 Air
3.3.1ExistingConditionsAirpollutantsofconcernasexpressedbyfederalagenciessuchastheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA,2015)aredescribedbelow.ThesecoincidewiththoseprioritizedbylocaldepartmentssuchastheNorthwestCleanAirAgency(NWCAA)(NWCAA,2016)andorganizationsliketheAmericanLungAssociation(AmericanLungAssociationetal.,2016);andsoarethefocusofairqualityconcernsofavarietyofprojecttypes.Monitoredpollutantsare:Lead(Pb),CarbonMonoxide(CO),variousNitrogenOxides(generalizedtotheformulaNOx),SulfurDioxide(SO2),Ozone(O3),andParticulateMatter10(PM10)andParticulateMatter2.5(PM2.5)whichrefertoaparticlesizeof10microns(micrometers)and2.5micronsrespectively.TheNWCAAoverseesahandfulofairqualitymonitoringstationsthroughoutWhatcomCounty,includingonelocatedinBellinghamthatmonitorssomeofthesedifferentpollutants(DepartmentofEcology,2016).LeadLeadisanaturallyoccurringmetalandhasbeendeemedtoxicbythescientificcommunity.Sincetheeliminationofleadfromgasoline,paints,andmanyotherproducts,leadisgenerallynotmonitoredfromambientairunlessindustrialprocessesthatutilizethismaterialmakeitnecessarytodoso(NWCAA,2016).LeadasapollutantisnotregularlymonitoredwithinthecityofBellinghamorWhatcomCountyandthusnodataisavailableforexistingairleadlevels(PortofBellingham,2010July;EPA,2015).
![Page 24: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
22
CarbonMonoxideThebiggestsourceofCOisusuallyvehiclesandothercombustionprocesses(e.g.,heatingandindustrialprocesses).TheonlycontributingfactorsofCOemissionswithintheproposedprojectareaarethoseduetolocaltrafficfromthestreetsofSuperior,Michigan,EastIllinois,andNewHavenPlace.Duetothelowtrafficlevelsinthisresidentialareaandthelackofthroughstreets,COemissionsarelowandarethereforenotmonitoredatthislocationorwithinthecityofBellingham(PortofBellingham,2010July;EPA,2015).NitrogenOxidesNitrogenOxidesareveryreactiveandtendtohaveaveryhighglobalwarmingpotential,alongwithpotentialadversehealtheffects,forinstanceforminghazardouscompoundssuchasperoxyacylnitrates(O'Neil,G.,2016October).NitrousOxide(N2O)isaproductofreactionswithNOxcompoundsthat,pertheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC),hasaroughly300xglobalwarmingpotentialtothatofcarbondioxide(IPCC,2007).DuetoalackofindustrialsourcesintheBellinghamarea,therearenoNOxmonitoringstationsandthusalackofdataforcreatingabaselineofNOxpollutants(EPA,2015).However,peranEIScompletedbythePortofBellinghaminregardstotheoldGeorgiaPacificsiteandwaterfrontdistrict,BellinghamcurrentlymeetslocalandfederalstandardsonNOxemissions(PortofBellingham,2010July).SulfurDioxideSimilartoNOx’s,SO2comesfromvariousformsofSulfurOxides(SOx),mostofwhichcomefromelectricgeneratingfacilitiesthatburnfuelswithhighersulfurcontents(typicallycoal).SO2isamajorcontributortoacidrainduetoitsabilitytodissolveinwater.ThereisoneSO2monitoringfacilityinWhatcomCounty,butnostationlocatedwithinthecityofBellingham(NWCAA,2016).Asof2015theEPAreportednoavailabledataformeasuringSO2levelsinBellingham(EPA,2015).OzoneOftheselectedairpollutants,ozoneisamoreregionallybasedandwidespreadtypeasopposedtoapointsourceemission.Bellinghamcontainsamonitoringstationcapableofmeasuringthispollutant,andper2015EPAdatathehighestreachedlevelofozonewas0.048ppmforan8-hourconcentrationreading(EPA,2015).ThisfallsbelowthecurrentU.S.NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)of0.070ppm(EPA,2016September16).PM2.5andPM10Alongwithozone,BellinghamalsohasanairmonitoringstationoperatedbytheNWCAAforparticulatematter.ThisstationislocatedonYewStreetneartheintersectionofYewStreetandAlabamaStreet,veryclosetotheproposedactionsite(DepartmentofEcology,2016).Asof2015theEPAlistedBellinghamashavinginsufficientdatatodecideonambientairparticulatematterlevels(EPA,2015);however,inthe2008PortofBellinghamEIStheyreportbothPM2.5andPM10levelsfor
![Page 25: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
23
the2005year.Bothweremeasuredin24-hourranges,withPM2.5levelsreachingamaximumof21microgramspercubicmeterwhiletheconcentrationofPM10reachedamaximumof26microgramspercubicmeter(PortofBellingham,2010July).BothofthesefallwithinacceptablelevelsaccordingtotheU.S.NAAQS(EPA,2016September16).AccordingtothedatacollectedbytheEPAusingairmonitoringstationswithinBellinghamandlocatedthroughWhatcomCounty,theairqualityisdeterminedonascaleknownastheAirQualityIndex(AQI).ForbothozoneandshorttermPM2.5Bellinghamranksasoneofonly8citiesthatmaintainedastandingof"good"ontheAQIfortheyear2015.Thisisthehighestairqualityratingavailableandindicatesthattheregionneverexperiencedanydaysofunhealthyairquality(AmericanLungAssociationetal.,2016).Thisstandingmeetsandexceedsbothfederalandlocalregulationsforambientairquality.TheacceptablelevelsaccordingtotheNAAQSforeachpreviouslydiscussedpollutantroughlycorrespondtoanumericalvalueof100ontheAQI(AirQualityIndex,n.d.).
Table3.TheEPA'sAirQualityIndex.Numericalvaluesareastandardizationbasedonactualconcentrationsandareappliedtoeachairhazardindividually(AirNow,n.d.).
3.3.2ProposedActionImpacts
Dependingontheconstructionmethodsusedtoinstallthepermanentbridgereplacement,airqualityimpactsmayvary.Adrysummerseasonwillmeanstagnantairandlessrain.Dustfromtrailmaintenanceandremovalofexistingfootingswillbeofgreatestconcern.Thismayleadtoreducedairqualityintheimmediateareabecauseofincreasedparticulatematter.Additionally,windpatternsduringtheprojecttimeframe
![Page 26: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
24
mayhaveanimpactonthelocationofdustandparticulatematteraccumulation.Exactestimatesareproblematictodeterminequantitativelyhoweverbecauseofdifficultieswithlongtermweatherpredictability.Longdistancesofparticulatedistributionareunlikelyastheproximityofnaturalandman-madebarriers(e.g.treesandhouses)preventthis.
Thefoundationsofthenewpermanentbridgewillbeofconcrete(Austin,G.,2016October)anditiswellestablishedthatthecementmanufactureindustryreleasesalotofairpollutants;however,theseareassociatedwithcementproductionwhichwillhappenoffsite.Thecuringofthecementattheproposedactionsitewillnotcontributetoanyairqualityissues(Wilson,A.,1993March/April).
Table4.Engineemissionlevelsforvariouscompounds.*HCindicationtotalhydrocarbons.Tablederivedfromoriginalsource(Helmer,K.,etal.,n.d.).
EngineModel
horsepower(hp)
EmissionsLevels(g/hp-hr)
HC CO CO2 NOx PMYanmar2TNE68
14 0.328-0.534 2.878-5.648 825-843 4.167-4.320 0.460-0.929
YanmarL100AE-DE
9 1.512-1.556 8.305-9.344 706-719 6.159-6.407 1.263-1.587
LombardiniLDW903
20 0.242-0.619 2.766-3.072 767-798 3.004-3.355 0.609-0.636
KubotaV2203B
49 0.075-0.090 1.053-1.234 668-671 4.253-4.272 0.600-0.615
Hatz1B30 7 0.628-0.633 4.025-4.220 758-783 5.126-5.347 0.510-0.523
Otherairpollutantswillbedependentonwhetherheavymachineryisusedfortheproposedaction.Withoutanymachinery(excavatorsordiggers), dustwillbetheprimaryairhazard.Nootheremissionsasreferredtoabovewillbeofconcern(Section3.3.1).Combustionemissionsaremeasuredbasedonenginetypeandsize.Ifanexcavatorisuseditwillbesmall,becausetheinstallationisnotcomplex,andit'soccurringinaconfinedright-of-way.ForthepurposesofthisEIAitisassumedanyenginewouldbelessthan50horsepower.Table4showsfivedifferentenginestestedforavarietyofemissions(Helmer,K.,etal.,n.d.).Theseareprovidedonagramofpollutantperhorsepowerperhourofusage(g/hp-hr).Dependingonthelengthoftimeofuseandsizeoftheengine,totalemissionsforconstructioncanbeestimatedgiventhisbaselinedata.ThiscanthenbeextrapolatedtooverallsiteairqualityusingtheparameterswithintheAQIandsizeoftheproposedsite.
Inadditiontotheabove-mentionedemissions,PAH'sarereleasedaspartofdieselenginecombustionandaredirectlyrelatedtoparticulatematter(specificallyPM2.5)
![Page 27: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
25
levels.ItcanbedifficulttodetermineexactPAHemissionratesasPAHconcentrationsareduetodieselfueltypeandaromatichydrocarboncontent.IthasbeendeterminedthoughthatPAHcontentindieselemissionsisnogreaterthan1%ofthePMmassofdieselengineexhaust(NCEA,2002May).Morespecifically,onlyPAHcompoundscomposedof3-5aromatichydrocarbonringshavetheappropriatevaporpressuretovolatizeandremainintheambientair(NCEA,2002May).
Methodsofinstallationofatemporarypedestrianbridgemayaddadditionalimpactstoairqualityattheproposedactionsite.Ifnotemporarybridgeistobeaddedornomachineryistobeused,thennoadditionalairqualityimpactsexistfortheproposedaction.Ifmachineryisusedinitsinstallationand/orremoval,thenadditionalemissionswillbeaccruedperthedatainTable4.TheaspectofatemporarybridgeexistingoverFeverCreekwillnotinitselfcauseanyadditionalairqualityissues.
MitigationIfheavymachineryistobeusedfortheproposedaction,generallythereisnostandardmethodtominimizeexhaustemissionsandparticulatesotherthanthestandardcomponentsthatalreadyexistinstalled.Howeveritmaybepossibletochooseaspecificmachinewithasmallerengineorabetteremissionsprofile.Thiswillbedeterminedorhinderedbytheexacttypeand/orseverityofgroundworknecessary.
Withrespecttodustfromphysicalconstructionand/orwindthereareseveralmitigationtechniquesthatcanbeemployed.Layeringmaterialoverthesoiloftheworksitewillalleviatedustupliftintotheair.Gravel,mulch,straw,orphysicallysprayingwatercanbeused.MinimizingtheareaofvegetationclearingandutilizingtimeofoperationsaftervegetationclearingalsoacttodecreasePM(dust)release(DOE,2016July).
3.3.3AlternativeActionImpactsEmissionsfromconstructionequipmentforthealternativeactionwillmirrorthatoftheproposedaction(Section3.3.2.1).Thetimeofyearwillhavenoeffectontypeofemissionsthatarereleasedatthesitefromoperatingmachinery.Dependingonweatherandhowthisaffectsthescheduledlengthofconstruction,emissiontotalsmaychangeifoperatingtimesincrease.ThesewillstillbeestablishedfrombaselinefactorsfromTable4.
Dependingonweatherpatterns,airqualityfromdustmayvaryfromthatoftheproposedaction.Increasedwindduringthewinterseasonmayhelptoremovedustfromthesite,howeverthispresentstheimplicationofmovingthisPMintoadjacentresidentialareas,affectingthoseclosesttothesite.Similarly,anincreaseinrainwillhelptoreducedustaccumulationintheairaltogetherduringconstruction.
![Page 28: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
26
MitigationSincetheimpactsforthealternativeactionarethesameasthatoftheproposedaction,themitigationsforthealternativeactionremainthesameaswell(Section3.3.2.2).However,typicalwinterweatherpatternsleadtoincreasedrainwithinthealternativeactiontimeframe,thuskeepingthegroundandsoilsinandaroundtheproposedactionsitewettedviaphysicalmeanswillnotbenecessary.
3.3.4NoActionImpactsHavingnofutureactionwiththesitewillresultinnochangestothecurrentairqualityatthecurrentproposedactionlocation.Foottrafficwillremainasis,butwillstillbelowerthanitwaswhenabridgewasinplace.AnydustupliftedbyfoottrafficcrossingFeverCreekwillbeofequalorlowervaluethanwhenabridgewasonthislocation.Ifnobridgereplacementshouldoccur,itislikelythatvehicletrafficwillincreaseduetosomechildrenbeingdriventoandfromschoolwhichwillincreaseairpollutants.Thesepollutantsarenothowevercontainedwithintheimmediatelocationoftheproposedactionsiteanditisdifficulttoconcludeadirectcorrelationbetweenairqualityofthesiteandincreasedvehiculartraffic.
3.4 Flora&Fauna3.4.1ExistingEnvironmentThefloraandfaunapresentatthesiteoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeiscomposedofamixtureofnativeandinvasivespecies.
CommonflorathatispresentincludesDouglas-fir,Westernhemlock,andvinemaple,allofwhicharenativetotheregion(WashingtonNativePlantSociety2006).Someofthesespeciesareconsideredobligatewetlandspecies,meaningtheyareonlyfoundinwetlands,andthushelpwetlanddelineationinthearea.Theprimaryconcernforfloraintheareaistheabundanceofinvasivespecies,anddetrimentaleffectstowetlandflora.ThereigninginvasivespeciesareHimalayanblackberryandEnglishivy.FeverCreekisnotlistedasaprojectrestorationsitefor2017bytheCOB(COB2017),butareplacementofthepedestrianbridgewouldpromptremovalofinvasivespeciesandareintroductionofnativespecies.
Theprimaryfaunathatvisittheareaarelocalblack-taileddeerandraccoonspassingthroughandeatingsomeoftheflora(Relyea2007).FeverCreekisatributaryofWhatcomCreek,whichisafishbearingandspawningstream,butFeverCreekisnotastreamthathostssalmonspawningorotherfishpopulations(NSEA2016).Despitethelackofpresenceoffishinthecreek,thereispotentialforsalmonandotherfishpopulationstoswimupstreamduringpeakflows,makingitanareaofconcern.Takingthisintoaccount,reconstructionofthepedestrianbridgewouldneedtoensurethatpotentialfishhabitatisnotdegraded.
![Page 29: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
27
3.4.2ProposedActionImpactsImpactsonfloraandfaunabypursuingtheproposedactionofwouldbelargelybeneficialbecauseinstallingatemporarybridgeimmediatelywoulddecreasethenumberofpeoplewhocontinuetocrossthebridgeillegally.Florawouldseelessfoottraffic,thereforepromotinggrowthandfaunahabitatwouldnolongerseedegradationfromthefoottrafficitexperienceswithoutabridge.Limitedflowswouldinsurelesssedimententeringthestreamaffectingsalmonandfishpopulationfurtherdownstream.
MitigationsTheCOBParksandRecreationDepartmentwouldberesponsibleforremovingandmanaginginvasivespeciesinthearea,inaccordancewiththethreetoonemitigationrequiredbyBellingham'sCityComprehensivePlan.InvasivespeciessuchasHimalayanblackberryandEnglishivyarecurrentlyoverwhelmingnativespecieswouldneedtobetakenout.ThismanagementcouldcomeintheformofapartnershipwithRooseveltElementarySchoolineffortstoinvolvestudentsandspreadawarenessoflocalecosystems.
3.4.3AlternativeActionImpactsImpactsonfloraandfaunawouldbelikethosedescribedinsection3.4.2.1,butthereismoreofapotentialforhabitatdestructionasconstructionwouldcommenceassoonaspossible.Potentialhabitatdestructionwouldbeacceleratedbyerosionspurredbyhighamountsofwaterpresentintheformsofstreamflowandprecipitation.PeakflowswitherosionwouldcauseincreasedimpactdownstreamtofishpopulationsinWhatcomCreek.
MitigationMitigationeffortswouldbelikethosedescribedinsection2.4.2.2.RemovalofinvasivespeciesandareintroductionofnativeflorabytheCOBParksandRecreationDepartmentwouldenhancethehabitatforfauna.Withconstructionofthenewpedestrianbridgetakingplaceduringthewetseason,anyeffortstoremoveinvasivespecieswouldbepostponeduntillaterinthedryseasontominimizeerosioncausedbyhigherstreamflowrates.3.4.4NoActionImpacts TakingnoactionandleavingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgesiteasiswouldallowinvasivespeciestogrowunregulatedandwoulddetractfromnativespecies'abilitiestothrive.Illegalcrossingofthestreamthatoccurshaspotentialtodegradepotentialhabitatsforfloraandfaunaalike.
![Page 30: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
28
4.0BuiltEnvironmentElement
4.1Transportation4.1.1ExistingConditionsTheFeverCreekpedestrianandbikebridgeisahigh-volumebridge.Numberofpeoplepassingoverthebridgeaveragearoundonehundredandfifty.Trendsshowhigherusageinspringandwinterandlowerusageinwinterandthelowestinsummer(CityofBellingham,2015).Evenafterthebridgeremovedthesitestilllooksused.Thesitehastrampledvegetationandhumangarbage.Soildisturbanceslookedlikepeoplehadbeencrossingthroughthestream.Therewasamakeshiftbridgebuilt.TheCityofBellingham’srecommendedalternativeofwaitingtillsummertostartconstructionleavesthecreekvulnerableforanextendedperiodoftimes.Safetyisaconcernasflowratesrisewithchildrentryingtopassthroughthecreek,andalternativerouteslackingsidewalks.
Figure6.FeverCreekPedestrianCounts-GraphdisplaysnumberofpedestrianpassingovertheFeverCreekBridgeduringtheseasonsoftheyear.Trendsshowthatspringhavethehighestcrossingcountswhilesummerhasthelowestcrossingcounts(CityofBellingham,2015;CreatedbyNovellaRandall).
![Page 31: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
29
4.1.2 ProposedActionImpactsTheproposedactionwouldleavethecreekvulnerabletohumanintrusionformultiplemonths before summer 2017. Human traffic through the stream will cause erosion,vegetation disturbance, and possible stream contamination. Effects of this will beadverse.
MitigationsAtemporarybridgecouldalleviatesomeoftheissuesandkeeppeopleonthepath.Anotheroptioncouldbebetterbarricadestokeepthepublicfromcrossingthestream.Theseeffortswouldalleviatenegativeinteractionsbetweenthepublicandthecreek.
4.1.3AlternativeActionImpactsFeverCreekwouldbenefitfromhavingconstructionstartassoonaspossible.Withacrewonthesite,thetrailwouldbeclosedoffmoreofficiallyandthemovementofpedestriansandbikerswouldstop,thusreducingtheimpactonthesurroundingenvironment.
MitigationsNomitigationstepswouldbeneededbecauseofaneutraleffectofnothavingpeoplepassthroughthesite.
4.1.4NoActionImpactsImpactsofnoactionwouldbelikethosediscussedin6.1.1,butindefinitely.Schoolchildrenandthoseusingthebridgewouldintrudethroughthecreekcausingadverseeffects.
![Page 32: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
30
5.0ImpactMatrixTable5showsthedecisionmatrix,whichoutlinesthesignificantimpactstoenvironmentalelementsanalyzedfortheproposed,alternative,andnoactionalternatives.
Table5:DecisionMatrix
SEPAElements ProposedAction AlternativeAction NoAction
Earth -2 -1 -1
Water +1 -2 -1
Air -1 -1 0
Flora&Fauna +2 +1 -2
Transportation -1 +1 -2
Total -1 -2 -6
Table6:DecisionMatrixKey
1.6RecommendationsWerecommendthattheproposedactionispursuedasitwouldreduceenvironmentalimpactswhencomparedtothealternativeandnoactionplans.ReplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgewouldhelpprovideasafepathforelementaryschoolstudentstocommuteonfoottoandfromschooleachdaybyminimizingtimespentawayfrommotorizedtraffic.
6.0ConclusionandRecommendationReplacementofFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeisimportantforthecommunitytoprovideasafe,reliable,andenvironmentallyresponsiblebridgerunningeasttowestbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.Theformerbridgewasremovedprimarilyduetopublicsafetyconcerns.Throughreplacingthebridge,wehopetopreserveformermethodsoftravelwithintheRooseveltneighborhood,especiallyforstudentsofRooseveltElementarySchool.Aprimary
Score Impact
+1to+2 PositiveImpact(2beingsignificant)
-1to-2NegativeImpact
(2beingsignificant)
0 ZeroImpact
![Page 33: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
31
concernforreplacementischildrenforcedtowalktoRooseveltElementarySchoolandsharestreetswithmotorizedtrafficwithoutsidewalks.
Weoutlinedthreeactionsforthissite:proposedaction,alternativeaction,andnoaction.TheproposedactionisputtingatemporarybridgeaccordingtostandardsoftheCOBParksandRecreationDepartmentimmediatelyuponapproval,andtheconstructionofapermanentbridgebasedoffofCOBdesignstandardsfollowingtheendoftheacademicyearstartingJune16,2016.Thealternativeactionistoinstallapermanentbridgeimmediately,butmitigateforenvironmentalconditionspresentduringthewinter.Thelastoption,noaction,istoleavethesiteofFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeasitisinitscurrentstate.Afterlookingatenvironmentalelementsincludingearth,water,air,floraandfauna,andtransportation,wedeterminedtheproposedactiontobethebestoptionforthislocation.Weconcludethatatemporarybridgeshouldbeplacedimmediatelyinthesite,theninstallapermanentbridgeinJune.
![Page 34: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
32
7.0GlossaryHydric-characterizedby,relatingto,orrequiringanabundanceofmoistureIn-situ-inthenaturalororiginalpositionorplaceNoxious-physicallyharmfulordestructivetolivingbeingsLoam-asoilconsistingofafriablemixtureofvaryingproportionsofclay,silt,andsandSiltLoam-soilcontainingnotlessthan70percentsiltandclayandnotlessthan20percentsandSubgrade-asurfaceofearthorrockleveledofftoreceiveafoundation(asofaroad)Wetland-landorareas(asmarshesorswamps)thatarecoveredoftenintermittentlywithshallowwaterorhavesoilsaturatedwithmoisture
![Page 35: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
33
8.0ReferencesAirNow.(n.d.).AirQualityIndex.Retrievedfrom
https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqiAustin,G.(2016,October).FeverCreekbridgereplacementinfosession.[PowerPointandlive
lecture].Retrievedfromprivatenotes.AmericanLungAssociation.(2016).StateoftheAir2016.Chicago,IL.Burwell,D.(2016).BellinghamFeverCreekPedestrianBridge:GeotechnicalInformation.
Bellingham,WA:RH2Engineering,Inc.September.CityofBellingham.(2016).RestorationProjectSites2017[Map].Bellingham,WA:Cityof
Bellingham.CityofBellingham.(2015).PedestrianandBicycleTrailUserCounts.InCityofBellingham.
Retrievedfromhttps://www.cob.org/documents/parks/parks-trails/trail-user-count/fever-creek-bridge-09-01-15-to-09-20-15.pdf
Coronado,C.(2016).NSEASpawningGroundsSurveys2015.Retrievedfromhttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/552eaedce4b0dc86eeb1cddd/t/5798edc5725e25f85fd4b699/1469640156394/Report+2015+Final.pdf
ElementSolutions,G.Austin,&CityofBellinghamParksandRecreation.(2016).CityofBellinghamCriticalAreasReportWetlandDelineation.
Harris,M.(2016).CityclosespedestrianbridgeatFeverCreek.Retrievedfromhttps://www.cob.org/news/Pages/features/City-closes-pedestrian-bridge-at-Fever-Creek.aspx
Helmer,K.,etal.(n.d.)RegulatedandAirToxicExhaustEmissionsfromNonroadDieselEnginesandEquipment.Washington,DC:UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange.(2007).IPCCFourthAssessmentReport:ClimateChange2007.Retrievedfromhttps://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch2s2-10-2.html
Klungland,M.W.andM.McArthur.(1989).SoilSurveyofSkagitCountyArea,Washington,SoilConservationService,U.S.D.A.,WashingtonStateDepartmentofNaturalResources,andWashingtonStateUniversity,AgricultureResearchCenter.
NationalCenterforEnvironmentalAssessment:DieselTeam.(2002).HealthAssessmentDocumentforDieselEngineExhaust.Washington,DC:UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
NorthwestCleanAirAgency.(2016).AirQualityCenter.Retrievedfromhttp://nwcleanairwa.gov/air-quality-center/
O'Neil,G.(2016).Biofuels:EmissionsandAirQuality.[Powerpointandlivelecture].Retrievedfromprivatenotes.
PortofBellingham.(2010).TheWaterfrontDistrictRedevelopmentProject(FormerlyKnownasNewWhatcomRedevelopmentProject)FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement.(FinalDraft).Bellingham,WA.
Relyea,K.(2007).Black-taileddeereasytospotlocally.TheBellinghamHerald.Retrievedfromhttp://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/outdoors/article22195617.html
![Page 36: Environmental impact assessment Fever Creek bridge …](https://reader030.fdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022012416/6170b5a2ccdb326ab73402f2/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement
34
Robertson,M.J.,Scruton,D.A.,Gregory,R.S.,&Clarke,K.D.(2006).Effectofsuspendedsedimentonfreshwaterfishandfishhabitat(Canada,FisheriesandOceansCanada,ScienceBranch).St.Johns,NL:ScienceBranch,FisheriesandOceans.
Shannahan,J.,LaCroix,R.,Cusimano,B.,&Hood,S.(2004).WhatcomCreekFecalColiformTotalMaximumDailyLoadStudy.RetrievedOctober23,2016,fromhttps://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/0403015.pdf
UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.(2015).AirQuality–CitiesandCounties[Datafile].Retrievedfromhttps://www.epa.gov/air-trends/air-quality-cities-and-counties
UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.(2016).NAAQSTable.Washington,D.C.Retreivedfromhttps://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table
WashingtonNativePlantSociety.(2006).NativePlantsofWesternWashington:TheNaturalWaytoGrow[Brochure].Seattle,WA:WashingtonNativePlantSociety.
WashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology.(2016).AirMonitoringSites.Retrievedfromhttps://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/.
WashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology.(2016).MethodsforDustControl.Olympia,WA.Retrievedfromhttps://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/96433.html
WashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT).(2008).WSDOTGuidanceonCompensatoryMitigationAreaCalculation(USA,DOT,WSDOT).Washington.
Wilson,A.(1993March/April).CementandConcrete:EnvironmentalConsiderations.EnvironmentalBuildingNews,2(2),1-11.