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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKadrmas Lee & Jackson Kadrmas Lee & June 27, 2008 Mr. Ken OlsonVJackson Engineers Surveyors Mayor Planners City of Laurel JUN 3 0 2008 PO Box 10 Laurel, MT 59044 CITY OF LAUREL RE: Laurel Municipal Airport Yellowstone County, Montana T1S, R24E, Sec27, SE114 T1S, R24E, Sec28, SE1/4, SW1/4 T1S, R24E, Sec32, NE1/4, NE1/4 T1S, R24E, Sec33 T1S, R24E, Sec34 Less SE1/4 Dear Mr. Olson: Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson (KLJ) is assisting the City of Laurel in preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Laurel Municipal Airport. The improve- ments being analyzed may include, but are not limited to, the construction of a crosswind runway, land acquisition, and associated improvements. If imple- mented, these projects would involve a Federal action, which would require environmental documentation according to the National Environmental Policy Act. Please refer to the enclosed study area map. To ensure that social, economic, and environmental effects are considered in the planning of the Airport's future actions, we are soliciting your views and comments regarding the potential future projects for the Airport. We are par- ticularly interested in any property that your department may own, or have an interest in, which would be adjacent to the Airport. For your convenience, we are enclosing a fact sheet that provides a general overview of environmental resources associated with the project area. This sheet does not draw conclusions on specific impacts; rather, it is meant to pro- vide assistance in your review of the project. We would also appreciate being made aware of any environmental concerns your department may have re- garding the project. Any information that might help us in our evaluation-would be appreciated. Please refer to the attached advance notification fact sheet. It is requested that any comments or information be forwarded to our office on or before July 28, 2008. If no reply is received by this date, it will be assumed that you have no comment on this project. 701 355 8400 128 Soo Line Drive PO Box1157 Bismarck,ND 58502-1157 Fax 701 355 8491 www.kljeng.com Kadrmas,Lee&Jackson,Inc. A KLJ Solutions Company If further information is desired regarding the proposed improvements, you may contact me at 701.355.8498 or Craig Canfield, Project Manager at 406.245.5499. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Kadrmas, Lee &Jackson, Inc. Tina Fricke Environmental Planner Cc: Dr. John Smith, Laurel Airport Authority Gary Gates FAA Max Murphy, Montana Aeronautics Division Enc. Kadrmas Lee & Jackson Engineers Surveyors Planners E� Advance Notification Fact Sheet Intro:This fact sheet is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental resources associated with the project area. This sheet does not draw conclusions on specific impacts; rather, it is meant to provide assistance in your review of the project. During completion of a Master Plan for the Airport, some agencies were previously contacted for their comments. The environmental information below includes agency comments as applicable. Need for Project:The purpose of the proposed action is to enhance the utility and safety of the Laurel Municipal Airport to accommodate current and projected levels of aviation activity by the design aircraft family. The need for the proposed action is related to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)design standards for wind coverage.There is also a need for acquiring land for compatible land use. Description for Project:The City of Laurel, in cooperation with the Montana Aeronautics Division and the FAA, proposes to construct a crosswind runway, acquire land, and associated improvements. Located in Yellowstone County, the city of Laurel is at the junction of Interstate 90 and US Highway 212. Burlington Santa Fe Railroads serve the area. The Airport is accessible from Laurel Airport Road off of State Highway 532, on the north side of Laurel. Environmental Information 1. Air: According to information form the Environmental Protection Agency, a portion of Laurel is located within a non-attainment area for sulfur dioxide (S02). Data from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality indicated that the non-attainment area has a radius of 1.2 miles and is centered on the Laurel CHS Refinery.The Laurel Municipal Airport is located 2.5 miles away from the refinery, placing it outside the area of non-attainment. 2. Coastal Resources: The proposed alternatives would not be located in an area containing coastal resources as defined by the Federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act(CBRA). 3. Land Uses:The city of Laurel is located on the south side of the airport. The land immediately adjacent to the Airport is used for agricultural purposes. However, several subdivisions have been platted near the Airport,with the closest 0.5 miles away to the southeast. The proposed alternative may involve purchasing land adjacent to the Airport to ensure compatible land use. There is an area northwest of the Airport that was used as Laurel's landfill, but has been closed for several years. The city of Laurel now uses a waste transfer system through Billings.An area northwest of the Airport is used as an enclosed waste transfer facility,which serves as a drop off point for residents'waste until it can be transferred to Billings. 4. Construction: Construction practices will utilize the use of BMP's(Best Management Practices). These specifications are contained in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5370-10B, Standards for Specifying Construction of Airports.The Contractor will be advised of the need to abide by these specifications throughout the duration of the project. 5. Department of Transportation Act,Section 4(f): There are no publicly-owned lands, including parks, recreation areas or refuge areas within the vicinity of the proposed improvements at Laurel Municipal Airport. Further assessment of potential historic sites will be conducted as part of the environmental assessment. 6. Farmlands: Data from the NRCS website indicates that there may be prime or unique farmland adjacent to the airport.The area encompassing the proposed project has prime farmland status if it would be irrigated. Prime or unique farmland may be impacted by the proposed alternatives. If necessary, a NRCS Form AD 1006, the Farmland Conversion Impact Rating Form,will be completed for the project. 7. Fish,Wildlife,and Plants: One threatened or endangered species maybe present in the action area: previous coordination with USFWS indicated the Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) maybe present. In this coordination the USFWS indicated the project would have no adverse effects to Bald Eagles. Since this coordination was completed,the Bald Eagle has been delisted from the federal list of threatened or endangered species. B. Floodplains: The proposed project area is not located within the 100-year floodplain. 9. Hazardous Materials, Pollution Prevention,and Solid Waste: The project area is not believed to contain any sites on the National Priority(NPL)list.As previously mentioned,there is a waste disposal site located north west of the proposed Runway 10-28 which serves as a drop off point for residents'wastes. In addition,there is an area to the east of the transfer site that served as a landfill. No construction activities are proposed for this area; however,the area may be acquired because it may be located within the RPZ (Runway Protection,Zone)of the proposed crosswind runway.A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment will be conducted for the project. 10. Historical,Architectural,Archeological,and Cultural Resources.A Cultural Resource File search was conducted by the Montana Historical Society in November of 2005. The file search identified three previously recorded sites. A Class III Cultural Resources Inventory will be conducted, if necessary, for areas that previously haven't been surveyed. 11. Light Emissions and Visual Impacts: Runway improvements could involve installing additional runway lighting. 12. Natural Resources and Energy Supply:The proposed action would require the use of energy and other natural resources for construction. 13. Noise: It is not anticipated that the proposed alternatives would significantly increase noise levels. 14. Secondary(induced)Impacts: The proposed project is not expected to negatively affect business or economic activity in the city of Laurel; impact public service demands; or induce shifts in population movement and growth. However, further analysis will be required. 15. Socioeconomic Impacts,Environmental Justice,and Children's Environmental Health and Safety Risks: Impacts to these resources will be analyzed during the environmental assessment process.The proposed action would be in accordance with Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations or Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. 16. Wetlands: Previous correspondence with the US Army Corps of Engineers indicated that wetland areas under their jurisdiction appear to be present in the study area. A wetland delineation will be completed for the project. Further analysis will be required. 17. Wild and Scenic Rivers. The project area is not located near a wild and/or scenic river.