Draft Environmental Assessment Marion County Mims VFD Guyed Tower Construction 2010 Homeland Security Grant Project # 2010-SS-TO-0008 (9110) Marion County, Texas March 2012 Federal Emergency Management Agency Department of Homeland Security 500 C Street, SW Washington, DC 20472 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………….….……….....2 2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED…………………………………………….…………....2 3.0 ALTERNATIVES…………………………………………………….………......3 4.0 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND DISMISSED…....4 5.0 GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND SEISMICITY……………….………….4 6.0 WATER RESOURCES…...….……………………………………….………..5 7.0 WETLANDS……………………………………………………………………........6 8.0 FLOODPLAIN……………………………………………………….…………......6 9.0 COASTAL RESOURCES………………………………………….…………....7 10.0 WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS………………………………………………….7 11.0 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT .……………………………………………………8 12.0 MIGRATORY BIRDS…………………………….……………………..……...8 13.0 HISTORIC PROPERTIES……………………………………………………...9 14.0 AMERICAN INDIAN/RELIGIOUS SITES……………………………10 15.0 AIR QUALITY…………………………………………………………………......10 16.0 NOISE………………………………………………………………………….........11 17.0 INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, AND WASTE MANAGEMENT…………………………………………………………11 18.0 SOCIECONOMIC CONCERNS………………………………………………...12 19.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS……………………………………………………....12 20.0 LIST OF PREPARERS…………………………………………………….…...15 21.0 INFORMATIONAL SOURCES…………………………………………..…..15 Tables: Table 1 Summary of Impacts…………………………………………14 Appendixes Appendix A: Site Photos & Plans Appendix B: Site Informational Maps Appendix C: Agency Consultation Letters Appendix D: Additional Site Impact Information 1.0 Introduction Marion County has been awarded, under a Homeland Security Grant (HSGP), authorization to construct a hundred fifty (150) foot new communications tower with a twenty (20) foot antenna. This communications tower will enhance the interoperable communications among all first responder disciplines during times of natural or man-made disasters. Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) is a program in the United States established in 2003 and was designated to incorporate all projects that provide funding to local, state, and federal government agencies by the Department of Homeland Security. This program is comprised of three related grant programs: State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). The purpose of the program is to purchase surveillance equipment, weapons, and advanced training for law enforcement personnel in order to heighten security. The HSGP helps fulfill one of the core missions of the Department of Homeland Security by enhancing the country's ability to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from potential attacks and other hazards. The HSGP is one of the main mechanisms in funding the creation and maintenance of national preparedness, which refers to the establishment of plans, procedures, policies, training, and equipment at the federal, state, and local level that is needed to maximize the ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from major events such as terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared according to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 44 CFR Part 10. This section of the federal code requires that FEMA take into account environmental considerations when authorizing or approving actions and pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The purpose of this EA is to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the proposed construction of a communications tower facility. FEMA will use the findings in this EA to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). 2.0 Purpose and Need Purpose The SHSP is suited for states and local communities that still need to implement the objectives of their State Preparedness Report, as mandated by the 9/11 Act of 2007. SHSP provides funding to support the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies to address the identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs at the state and local levels to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. Consistent with the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53) (“hereafter “9/11 Act”), states are required to ensure that at least 25 percent (25%) of SHSP appropriated funds are dedicated towards law enforcement terrorism prevention-oriented planning, organization, training, exercise, and equipment activities, including those activities which support the development of fusion center capabilities.   Need Marion County Government is located in the community of Jefferson, Texas. The tower that is currently used by the responders on the West end of the county is owned by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The tower is over 203 ft and needs to maintain the standards established by the FCC. However, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has a limited budget and is burdened by the maintenance of the tower. The tower is not structurally sound enough to withstand the weight of several antennas. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has not used the tower for some time and has allowed Marion County to attach their equipment to the tower. At this time, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is negotiating a lease with another party who has the budget to adequately maintain the tower. Marion County will be required to remove their equipment once the lease is signed. Therefore, a new regional communications tower is needed in Marion County to improve public safety and interoperable communications among emergency responders during an emergency event. 3.0 Alternatives Alternative No. 1- No Action Under this alternative, the tower would not be constructed. Losing the function of the communication tower would jeopardize public safety. The Mims Volunteer Fire Department would be greatly affected due to the lack of a good signal; thus losing the imperative communications needed to conduct their emergency responses. Alternative No. 2- Proposed Action The proposed action is to construct a hundred fifty (150) foot new communications tower with a twenty (20) foot antenna. The proposed communications tower will be constructed with the 2010 HSGP funding with the goal of utilizing the 2011 HSGP funding to add a new repeater to the tower to enhance communications to the next level (i.e. make it P-25 complaint). The 2011 HSGP funding has already been approved to allow Marion County to purchase the new repeater. The proposed tower is to be located at 12728 FM 729 in Avinger, Texas 75630 at coordinates 32.82013 Latitude and -94.61031 Longitude. The site of the proposed tower is adjacent to the Mims Volunteer Fire Department. (See site photographs, basic location map and tower schematic plan in Appendix A). The site consists of grassed land. To allow for the guyed wires, one tree at the front of the building will be cut down. Another tree on the other side of the building will be trimmed as well as some bushes at the back of the building and property. The equipment compound will be located in the Mims VFD building. Adjacent undeveloped areas are not expected to be impacted. Appropriate signage will be installed as required by local, state and federal laws. 4.0 Alternatives Considered and Dismissed One alternative was considered but dismissed because it did not meet the county’s purpose and was not feasible. Alternative No. 3 – Place Equipment on another Tower Under this alternative, the existing tower would remain but would be under the control of the new leaser. The current repeater, etc attached to the tower would be moved to another location. There is another tower further west but the owners have not guaranteed usage of the tower. This plan was not feasible at the current time. These alternatives will not be discussed any further in this EA. 5.0 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to soils, geologic resources, or seismic features. The proposed project site is located in Marion County in Northeast Texas, an area generally known to contain basic geologic formations consisting of Jurassic age shale, such as Bossier and Haynesville formations. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service Geographic Soil Survey, the dominant soil in this area is Bowie fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. This soil series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately slowly permeable soils that formed in loamy Coastal Plain deposits. Bowie soils are well drained. Permeability is moderately slow. Runoff is low on 1 to 3 percent slopes, medium on 3 to 5 percent slopes, and high on 5 to 8 percent slopes. A perched water table is at a depth of 3.5 to 5 feet during winter and early spring in most years. (See NRCS soil and tectonic maps – See Appendix B). Prime and unique farmlands soils are protected under the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) of 1981. The FPPA applies to prime and unique farmlands and those that are of state and local importance. “Prime farmland” is defined as land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for successfully producing crops. “Unique” farmland is defined as land that is used for the production of certain high-value crops, such as citrus, tree nuts, olives, and fruits. The Act requires federal agencies to examine the potentially adverse effects to these resources before approving any action that would irreversibly convert farmlands to nonfarm uses. The site has been converted to urban uses and therefore is excluded from the FPPA. The tower will consist of fourteen (14) ten foot sections and one (1) standard top section that is 9 feet, 9 inches. It is triangular in shape. The only ground disturbance will be underneath the tower itself and the three (3) anchors for the guy wires. The tower and anchors will be grounded with copper ground rods. The standard concrete base pier for the 150-foot tower is 2 feet, 6inches by 2 feet, 6 inches and is 4 feet deep. It will meet specifications for rebar and concrete. The three (3) anchors will be elevated 8 feet above ground and concreted into the ground 3 feet deep, 110 feet from each tower leg. Utility companies will be contacted regarding underground cables and lines. There is no evidence of foundation cracking or settling in nearby building or sinkholes. There is no loosely packed soil to a degree where liquification may be a problem. There is no debris filled ground that might indicate potential for construction instability. The buildings around the tower site have been there since 2000 or longer with no construction or stability issues. There are no known tectonic faults near the proposed site. Therefore, the Proposed Action will have minimal impact to geologic resources and soils in the area. 6.0 Water Resources Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to water resources. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was established under the Clean Water Act and regulates wastewater discharges from point sources. NPDES regulations require that construction sites resulting in greater than one acre of disturbance obtain a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or the corresponding state agency where the permitting role has been assumed by the state. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. The state of Texas assumed the authority to administer the NPDES program in Texas on Sept. 14, 1998. NPDES is a federal regulatory program to control discharges of pollutants to surface waters of the United States. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) program now has federal regulatory authority over discharges of pollutants to Texas surface water, Texas is located in US EPA Region 6 Water Quality Protection Division located in Dallas, Texas. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act established a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material on the United States, including wetlands. An individual permit is required for potentially significant impacts; these are reviewed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. General permits are issued on a nationwide, regional, or state basis for particular categories of activities. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers administers the day-to-day program, including permit decisions; conducts or verifies jurisdictional determinations; develops policy and guidelines; and enforces Section 404 provisions. The staging area for the tower construction is a grass lot that is approximately one half acre (1/2 acre) located adjacent to the Mims VFD which is approximately 5,600 square feet. There are utility connections at the Mims VFD. Land-disturbing activities at the proposed communication tower facility will be below the one-acre threshold requiring an NPDES permit. This project will not result in the placement of temporary or permanent dredge or fill material into any jurisdictional “water of the U.S.,” including the wetlands or other special aquatic sites; therefore, a Section 404 permit is not required. The nearest water feature is Lake O’ the Pines, approximately 2 miles (10,560 feet) of the project. The Proposed Action would have no impact to water quality in the area of the site. 7.0 Wetlands Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to wetlands. Under the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 230.3), and Executive Order 11990, wetlands are defined as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence if vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.” Within the project limits there are no wetlands, ponds, seeps or springs, or snags. Executive Order 11990 on wetlands does not apply as no wetlands will be impacted. Based on the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory map available online at the National Wetlands Inventory website (http://fws.gov/wetlands/), no wetlands were identified in the project area (Appendix B). Section 404 of the Clean Water Act established a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material on the United States, including wetlands. An individual permit is required for potentially significant impacts; these are reviewed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. General permits are issued on a nationwide, regional, or state basis for particular categories of activities. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers administers the day-to-day program, including permit decisions; conducts or verifies jurisdictional determinations; develops policy and guidelines; and enforces Section 404 provisions. This project will not result in the placement of temporary or permanent dredge or fill material into any jurisdictional “water of the U.S.,” including the wetlands or other special aquatic sites; therefore, a Section 404 permit is not required. The proposed communication tower site is currently a maintained lawn. Therefore, the Proposed Action will not impact wetlands. 8.0 Floodplain Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to floodplains. The proposed site, which is within approximately ten thousand five hundred sixty (10,560) feet of the Lake O’ the Pines is not located in a floodplain. According to the FEMA Map Store, Marion County is unmapped with the exception of the city of Jefferson. (See floodplain information Appendix D) Therefore, the Proposed Action will have no impact on floodplains. 9.0 Coastal Resources Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to coastal resources. The Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 provided that coastal states develop resource-management programs to regulate coastal resources. The act defines the coastal zone as "coastal waters...and adjacent shorelands...extend[ing] inland only to the extent necessary to control shorelands, the uses of which have a direct and significant impact on the coastal waters." The act further clarifies "shoreline" as the "line of mean high tide, as determined by tide gauges." The Texas legislature responded with the Coastal Public Lands Management Act of 1973, which more broadly defined the state's coastal zone as "the geographic area comprising all the counties of Texas having any tidewater shoreline, including that portion of the bed and waters of the Gulf within the jurisdiction of the State of Texas." By 1975 the Texas Coastal Management Program had redefined the Texas coastal zone as "southwest along the coast from the Sabine to the Rio Grande, seaward into the Gulf of Mexico for a distance of 10.35 miles, and inland to include 36 counties." This zone is composed of eight geographic areas extending from the inner continental shelf to about forty miles inland. It includes all estuaries and tidally influenced streams and bounding wetlands. From north to south the areas are Beaumont-Port Arthur, Galveston-Houston, Bay City-Freeport, Port Lavaca, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and Brownsville-Harlingen. The proposed activity is not located within the coastal zone of Texas and is exempt from obtaining a Coastal Use Permit. See coastal map (Appendix D). Therefore, the Proposed Action does not require a coastal use permit and would not impact coastal resources. 10.0 Wild and Scenic Rivers Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to Wild and Scenic Rivers. The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection. A review of information available through the www.rivers.gov website indicates that one Wild and Scenic River is located in Texas, a segment of the Rio Grande. The proposed communications tower would have no impacts to any designated Wild and Scenic River. 11.0 Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habitat Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to Threatened and Endangered Species or Critical Habitat. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536a2) directs federal agencies to utilize their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of the Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of listed species or designated critical habitats. In addition, Section 7 of the Act sets out the consultation process, which is further implemented by regulation (50 CFR 402). According to the Texas page of the USFWS Threatened and Endangered Species System website (http://www.fws.gov/endangered/), threatened or endangered species are known to exist in Marion County (Appendix D). Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) is listed as a threatened mammal in Marion County. The Louisiana black bear is one of sixteen recognized subspecies of the American black bear U. americanus (Hall, 1981). The Louisiana black bear is distinguished from other black bears by possessing a skull that is longer, more narrow, and flat, and by possessing proportionately large molar teeth (Nowak, 1986). Black bears are huge, bulky mammals with long black hair. Although weight varies considerably, large males may weigh more than 600 pounds. The Louisiana Black Bear frequents deep woods in Marion County. Key habitat requirements of black bears include food, water, cover, and denning sites spatially arranged across sufficiently large, relatively remote blocks of land. Louisiana black bears typically inhabit bottomland hardwood forests but also utilize other types of forested habitats. Other documented habitat types used include brackish and freshwater marshes, salt domes, wooded spoil levees along canals and bayous, and agricultural fields. The proposed communication tower will be located at the Mims VFD with wooded parcels adjacent to the site. As a developed parcel of land, none of the previously discussed threatened and endangered species or supporting habitat exists on the proposed communication tower site. FEMA has determined No Effect on federally listed threatened and endangered species or their critical habitat based on the habitat and the scope of work as defined in this EA. Therefore, the Proposed Action will not impact threatened and endangered species. 12.0 Migratory Birds Under the No Action alternative, there would be no potential impacts to migratory birds The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703) established a federal prohibition, unless permitted by regulations, to "pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for transportation, transport, cause to be transported, carry, or cause to be carried by any means whatever, receive for shipment, transportation or carriage, or export, at any time, or in any manner, any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird." The USFWS concurred in the e-mail dated June 3, 2011, that the tower project would not have any impact on migratory birds. (Appendix C). In conforming to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service’s “Service Interim Guidelines for Recommendations on Communications Tower Siting, Construction, Operation, and Decommissioning”, the proposed new tower will be a self-supporting, freestanding 150 feet tall structure that will employ three (3) guy wires. The equipment compound will be located in the Mims VFD building: adjacent undeveloped areas are not expected to be directly affected. Therefore, the Proposed Action will not impact migratory birds. 13.0 Historic Properties Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to historic properties. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA, 16 U.S.C. §§ 470 et seq.) and it’s implementing regulations, “Protection of Historic Properties” (36 CFR Part 800), require federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. According to information on the National Register Information System (NRIS; http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov); the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP; http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr) there are no historic properties within the construction site. (See historic site list Appendix D) Under the Proposed Action, no impacts to cultural resources are anticipated. In the event that archeological deposits, including any Native American pottery, stone tools, bones, or human remains, are uncovered, the project shall be halted and the applicant shall stop all work immediately in the vicinity of the discovery and take reasonable measures to avoid or minimize harm to the finds. All archeological findings will be secured and access to the sensitive area restricted. The applicant will inform FEMA immediately, FEMA will consult with the SHPO or THPO, and Tribes and work in sensitive areas cannot resume until consultation is completed and appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that the project is in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. In response to a letter dated May 19, 2011, the Texas Historical Commission indicated on July 15, 2011, that No known historic properties will be affected by this undertaking (Appendix C). Therefore, the Proposed Action will not impact historic properties. 14.0 American Indian/Religious Sites Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to American Indian Tribes or Religious Sites. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations, “Protection of Historic Properties” (36 CFR Part 800) and the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement on the Collocation of Wireless Antennas (adopted March 16, 2001), as well as the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review of Effects on Historic Properties for Certain Undertakings Approved by the Federal Communications Commission effective March 7, 2005, require consultation with Native American tribal groups and native Hawaiian organizations (NHO) regarding proposed projects and potential impacts to Native American religious sites. Under the Proposed Action, no impacts to cultural resources are anticipated. In the event that archeological deposits, including any Native American pottery, stone tools, bones, or human remains, are uncovered, the project shall be halted and the applicant shall stop all work immediately in the vicinity of the discovery and take reasonable measures to avoid or minimize harm to the finds. All archeological findings will be secured and access to the sensitive area restricted. The applicant will inform FEMA immediately, FEMA will consult with the SHPO or THPO, and Tribes and work in sensitive areas cannot resume until consultation is completed and appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that the project is in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. To identify Indian tribes that may have cultural interest in the area of the proposed undertaking, Marion County’s consultants contacted the FCC’s online Tower Construction Notification System (TCNS) to initiate tribal participation. The Tribes had approximately 30 days to reply to the Notification. The following tribes were contacted: Tonkawa Tribe, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes – Anadarko, OK, Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas – Livingston, TX, Osage Nation – Pawhuska, OK, and Mescalero Apache Tribe – Mescalero, NM. The Tonkawa Tribe responded on March 28, 2011 with no known burial sites in the project area. No further tribal responses had been received, therefore, in accordance with the FCC Declaratory Ruling FCC 05-176, the Tribal participation process is considered complete. (See TCNS e-mail Appendix C) Specific tribal notification information/dates are as follows: TCNS Notification ID number: 74167, submitted February 25, 2011 TCNS FCC Initial Notification Date: March 7, 2011 TCNS FCC Referral / Final Notice Date: March 28, 2011 The Proposed Action is not anticipated to impact American Indian Tribes or Religious Sites. 15.0 Air Quality Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to air quality. The Clean Air Act (CAA) was established in 1970 (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.) to reduce air pollution nationwide. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the provisions of the CAA. The EPA classifies the air quality within an air quality control region (ACQR) according to whether the region meets or exceeds federal primary and secondary NAAQS. An AQCR or a portion of an AQCR may be classified as being in attainment, non-attainment, or it may be unclassified for each of the seven criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, coarse particulates, fine particulates, ozone, and sulfur dioxide). Marion County is not listed as a non-attainment area. (See attainment status Appendix D) Short-term impacts to air quality such as exhaust emissions from equipment, and dust from grading activities may occur during site construction activities. Equipment used for these activities would meet local, state, and federal requirements for air emissions, and dust would be controlled as necessary by wetting the surface of the work areas. The only long-term air emissions anticipated at the site would be from the emergency generator. The generator will only operate briefly while being tested and during power failure events affecting the electrical power supply to the site. Therefore, the Proposed Action would have no significant impact to air quality. 16.0 Noise Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to noise. Noise is generally described as unwanted sound. Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life. Short-term noise generation is anticipated to result from tree trimming and cutting, grading and construction activities. However, site construction will be limited to the daytime hours. Long-term noise generation is anticipated to be minimal and to result primarily from episodic and infrequent operation of an emergency generator at the site. However, the generator would only operate briefly when tested, and during power failure events affecting the electrical power supply to the site. Therefore, the Proposed Action would not generate significant noise. 17.0 Infrastructure, Utilities, Transportation, and Waste Management Under the No Action alternative, there would be no short- or long-term impacts to infrastructure, utilities, transportation, and waste management. To begin the project, all utility companies will be notified to inspect and mark their lines or pipes (i.e. only utilities are water and electric). Any obstacles will be clearly marked at the planned tower location prior to beginning construction. There may be an increase of traffic during the tower construction. Routine traffic to and from the site would be minimal and would be associated with operations, maintenance, and repair of equipment and the active EOC at the site. Minimal waste would be generated at the site during tower maintenance activities. Minimal dirt removal for the concrete slab and support areas should be the only impact on the area during construction. The dirt will be relocated on site, filling sink holes or low spots in the area. All waste generated at the site will be disposed of in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The only waste might happen during construction, the tower will not produce any waste by-product. Therefore, the Proposed Action will not significantly impact infrastructure, utilities, transportation, or waste management. 18.0 Socioeconomic Concerns Under the No Action alternative, there would be a short-term socioeconomic concern while trying to locate another tower to lease and install our equipment on. Losing the function of the communication tower would jeopardize public safety because communications among emergency responders would be compromised during an emergency event. Executive Order 12898 states “To the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, and consistent with the principles set forth in the report on the National Performance Review, each federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the United States and its territories and possessions, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands.” No adverse impacts to socioeconomic resources, economic development, demographics, demand for public housing, or public services are anticipated. In addition, there would be no adverse effects on minority or low-income populations. The Proposed Action would benefit all populations in the project service area by providing better communications between emergency responder personnel. 19.0 Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts are an incremental impact on either the natural environment or human environment by an action when added to past and anticipated future actions. No ongoing or proposed actions are known for the project area. According to information available through the FCC Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) System internet website, there are approximately fourteen thousand five hundred thirty (14,530) registered towers in the state of Texas (generally only those towers over 200 feet in height or located near an airport are required to register and are included in this database). The proposed construction of the communications tower would not have cumulative impacts on geology, soil, seismicity, water resources, wetlands, floodplains, coastal resources, wild and scenic rivers, threatened or endangered species, historic properties, American Indian or religious sites, air quality, noise, infrastructure, utilities, transportation, or waste management, or socioeconomic resources. Positive long-term impacts to socioeconomic and environmental justice are anticipated since the project will provide better emergency support to the community. During the construction period, short-term impacts to soils, air quality, waste management, noise, traffic, and health and safety are anticipated. Table 1. Summary of Impacts Resource: Soils, Geology, and Seismicity Impacts - No Significant Impact Mitigation/Best Practices - Relatively flat ground at the Mims VFD. Any soil removed during construction will be relocated in the area to fill low spots, etc. Resource: Water Resources Impacts - No Impact Resource: Wetlands Impacts - No Impact Resource: Floodplain Impacts - No Impact Resource: Coastal Resources Impacts - No Impact Resource: Wild and Scenic Rivers Impacts - No Impact Resource: Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habitat Impacts - No Impact Resource: Migratory Birds Impacts - No Impact Resource: Historic Properties Impacts - No Impact Resource: American Indian/Religious Sites Impacts - No Impact Resource: Air Quality Impacts - No Significant Impact Mitigation/Best Practices - Minimal emissions from generator and construction equipment will be controlled in the work area and will meet local, state and federal guidelines. Resource: Noise Impacts - No Significant Impact Mitigation/Best Practices - Short-term noise source in the project will be from equipment/vehicles used in installation. The disturbance will be limited to daytime hours. Noise will not increase area ambient noise density. Resource: Infrastructure, Utilities, Transportation, and Waste Management Impacts - No Significant Impact Mitigation/Best Practices - All utilities companies will be notified and lines clearly marked. Minimal increase of transportation will be kept to daytime hours and all waste will be properly disposed of according the local, state, and federal guidelines. Resource: Socioeconomic Concerns Impacts - No Impact 20.0 List of Preparers * Shanna Solomon, Marion County Auditor 102 W Austin, Room 205 Jefferson, TX 75657 Phone 903-665-7240, Fax 903-665-8732 Shanna.solomon@co.marion.tx.us * Government Contributors Kevin Jaynes, CHMM, Regional Environmental Officer, FEMA Region 6 Alan Hermely, Environmental Specialist, FEMA Region 6 21.0 Informational Sources Completion of this Environmental Assessment included the following: 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov.southwest/es/EndangeredSpecies/lists/ListSpecies.cfm 2. Texas Commission on Environmental Equality http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/air/sip/siptexas.html 3. National Wetlands Inventory http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/ 4. FCC Antenna Structure Registration System http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistrationSearch.jsp 5. FEMA Map Service Center http://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/FemaWelcomeView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1 6. National Wild and Scenic Rivers http://www.rivers.gov/ 7. Oceanworld (coastal zones) http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/Images/texascoastalzone-sm.jpg 8. USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm 9. Environmental Justice http://scorecard.goodguide.com/community/ej-summary.tcl?fips_county_code=48315 10. Historic Properties National Register of Historic Places http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natregadvancedsearch.do 11. FCC Antenna Structure Registration System http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistrationSearch.jsp;JSESSIONID_ASRSEARCH=DGcMTxtfQNLVXbJTNZpLWWGPh3SVLJW7GWflwnrXnS3n71HM8pxg!1840754471!NONE