Environmental Assessment University City FD Proposed Fire Station University City, MO EMW-2009-FC-03208 March 2010 FEMA Region VII 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64114 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FIRE STATION EMW-2009-FC-03208 6601 VERNON AVENUE UNIVERSITY CITY, MISSOURI For Submittal to: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 9221 WARD PARKWAY, SUITE 300 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64114 Prepared for: CHIEF STEVE OLSHWANGER UNIVERSITY CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT 6801 DELMAR BOULEVARD UNIVERSITY CITY, MISSOURI 63130 Prepared by: NPN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS, INC. 1631 HEADLAND DRIVE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63026 March 2010 Contract C-10010 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL Project: Environmental Assessment Proposed Fire Station 6601 Vernon Avenue University City, Missouri Project No.: Contract C-10010 This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of University City Fire Department solely for the purpose of documenting the above-titled project. This report and all documents contained herein shall not, in whole or in part, be disseminated or conveyed to any other party, nor used by any other party in whole or in part, without written consent of NPN Environmental Engineers, Inc. and University City Fire Department. However, NPN Environmental acknowledges and agrees that the report being submitted to Federal Emergency Management Agency may be conveyed as public information. As part of NPN Environmental's QA/QC practices and procedures, this report has been reviewed and approved by the following: Project Manager: Ruth C. Mannebach QA/QC Manager: Kimberly A. Polacek It is the professional opinion of David B. Row, P.E., a Registered Professional Engineer licensed to practice in the State of Missouri, that good environmental engineering practices were employed on this project. Name: David B. Rowe, P.E. Title: Principal Signature: Date: Missouri Registration Number E-24039 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL i LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ii INTRODUCTION 1 PURPOSE AND NEED 1 ALTERNATIVES 2 No Action Alternative 2 Proposed Action 2 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS 3 Physical Resources 3 Water Resources 5 Biological Resources 7 Cultural Resources 8 Socioeconomic Resources 9 Cumulative Impacts 11 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS 11 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 13 MITIGATION MEASURES AND PERMITS 13 AGENCY COORDINATION AND REFERENCES 14 LIST OF PREPARERS 16 TABLE Table 1 – Summary of Affected Environments and Impacts APPENDIXES Appendix A Figures Figure 1 – Vicinity Map Figure 2 – 2007 Aerial Photograph Appendix B Draft Facility Layout Appendix C Site Photographs Appendix D Additional Documentation Appendix E Agency Consultation Correspondence LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS CFR Code of Federal Regulations CWA Clean Water Act EA Environmental Assessment FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency MDNR Missouri Department of Natural Resources NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System SHPO State Historic Preservation Office USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency USDA United States Department of Agriculture USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service INTRODUCTION The University City Fire Department (University City FD) serves the corporate limits of the City of University City in north central St. Louis County, as well as providing mutual response/automatic aid to the City of St. Louis and other municipalities in St. Louis County. The department has two existing fire stations within their geographic service area. The City of University City is within the metropolitan St. Louis area and although population within University City has declined over the past two decades, the number of service calls the fire department responds to within University City and as mutual aid has not decreased. An existing fire station (Engine House 1) located at 6801 Delmar Boulevard in the southeast part of University City is proposed for replacement. The building (approximately 100 years old) has been structurally damaged from years of water intrusion through the roof, basement and foundation, as well as shifting of the building. Water intrusion has resulted in extensive growth of mold and mildew and damage to the HVAC system, resulting in a building that is unfit to inhabit. During the last building inspection, the building was listed as unsafe, with 58 inspection violations. Although the building is being inhabited and functioning, it was not originally designed for use as a fire station, which limits the size and type of fire apparatus that can be housed. Expansion and upgrades to this station house are not possible due to physical site restrictions. Additionally, the building is located adjacent to an elementary school and has poor access to public streets. The structural deterioration of the building, increases in respiratory problems and illnesses in firefighters attributed to poor indoor air quality of the building, inability to house modern apparatus, and increased response time due to traffic congestion and poor street access has degraded the University City FD's ability to respond not only locally, but as a mutual aid partner to neighboring communities. NEPA requires that Federal agencies consider the environmental consequences of proposed actions before deciding to fund an action. The intent of NEPA is to protect, restore, or enhance the environment through well-informed decision making. The Council on Environmental Quality was established under NEPA to implement and oversee Federal policy in this process and implemented the procedural provisions of NEPA codified at 40 CFR 1500-1508. An Environmental Assessment (EA) related to a FEMA program must be prepared according to the requirements of the Stafford Act and 44 CFR Part 10. This EA has been prepared to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment from relocation and construction of a new fire station. PURPOSE AND NEED This EA provides information to support the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants process. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide funding for construction of a new fire station under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Fire Station Construction Grant program. The University City FD proposed fire station is needed to provide effective and timely fire protection and emergency services to the eastern portion of University City and surrounding municipalities. The proposed fire station will replace an existing station that is obsolete in function due to location, age, and configuration and unsafe and uninhabitable due to water damage and building settlement. Critical flaws of the existing station cannot feasibly be corrected due to physical structural and property constraints. The proposed new station will significantly reduce overall response time to the community as well as enhance the FD's ability to respond to crises involving critical infrastructure including five major state and interstate highways, the Metrolink regional rail system, several public schools, and a major electric utility substation by providing a more centrally located modern facility able to house modern fire apparatus. ALTERNATIVES NEPA requires the investigation and evaluation of reasonable project alternatives, including impacts to the natural and human environment as part of the planning process. This EA addresses two alternatives, the No Action alternative and the Proposed Action. Washington University generously donated the parcel of land that is the Proposed Action to the city for the designated purpose of constructing the new fire station. Based on this action and a lack of funding or opportunity to investigate other sites, the University City FD did not consider alternative locations. No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would result in no construction of a new fire station on the east side of University City and continued reliance on the existing station. This action would leave emergency response times to this area of the community and surrounding areas unchanged and likely to increase with future population growth and development. The No Action alternative would result in lower level of overall public safety than the proposed alternative. Proposed Action The Proposed Action would result in construction of a new fire station on property currently owned by the City of University City at 6601 Vernon Avenue, within the city limits of University City, Missouri, as shown on Figure 1 – Vicinity Map in Appendix A – Figures. The preliminary design calls for an approximately 16,700 square foot, 2-story fire station with 5 vehicle bays (Appendix B – Draft Facility Layout). An equipment and gear storage room and decontamination area will be located in the bay area, and vehicle exhaust will be vented to the outdoors with a NFPA 1500 compliant exhaust extraction system. The living quarters will include a kitchen, day room, restrooms, bedrooms, and mechanical and utility areas. A training room will also be provided and during times of disaster or severe weather, may be used as an Emergency Operations Center or community heating/cooling center. A final design has not been completed; however, the building will incorporate "green design" features with the intent of obtaining LEED silver accreditation at a minimum. All utilities are currently available to the site and the building will be tied into existing municipal water and sewer and the local electric utility. A backup generator system will also be installed to support building functions during power outages. The commercial property has been zoned for construction of the fire station and all necessary building permits have been obtained from the City of University City. Photographs of the subject property and adjacent properties taken on January 22, 2010 are included in Appendix C – Site Photographs. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS The City of University City is an inner-ring suburb in St. Louis County, located just west of the St. Louis city limits in east-central Missouri. The city has a total land area of 6 square miles. The 2000 United States Census Bureau population included 37,428 people; however, reductions in population growth have recently occurred due to overall shifts in the metropolitan demographic, with an estimated 2008 population of 36,289 people. The proposed University City FD fire station will be located on a 0.695-acre parcel of vacant ground within the city limits, as shown on Figure 2 – 2007 Aerial Photograph. Historically, the project site was developed residentially from at least 1909 through 1965, at which time it was zoned for industrial development and the houses demolished. The property remained vacant from 1965 to 1989. In 1989, adjacent property to the west was developed with an office/warehouse building. The parking lot for this building extends onto the southern third of the project site. The northern two-thirds of the project site remained undeveloped and is currently maintained grass. Adjacent property to the north and west is commercial. Adjacent property to the east and south is single- and multifamily residential. This section discusses the existing environmental conditions at the proposed project site including descriptions of the physical, biological, and socioeconomic resources throughout the general area and the proposed action site. The characterization of existing conditions provides a baseline for assessing the potential environmental impacts from activities associated with the proposed action. Physical Resources The elevation of the subject property is approximately 490 feet above mean sea level, as depicted on the 1954 (Revised 1993) Clayton, MO. USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle Maps. The subject site and surrounding properties slope gently to the south. Stormwater flow is routed over land by sheet flow to local storm drains. A copy of this map (Figure 1) is included in Appendix A. Geology and Soils The general stratigraphy of the subject site is characterized by the Meramecian Series of the Mississippian System in the Paleozoic Era, which contains three formations consisting mainly of limestone and some dolomite: Warsaw, Salem, and St. Louis. The Warsaw Formation (ranging in thickness from 40 to 100 feet) is composed of finetocoarse crystalline, fossiliferous limestone that may contain geodes. The Salem Formation (ranging in thickness from 100 to 160 feet) has two sections. The lower section is composed of light gray-to-white, fossiliferous, argillaceous, oolitic limestone. The upper section contains blue-gray, argillaceous, oolitic, dolomitic limestone with an abundance of speckled gray and tan chert. The St. Louis Formation (ranging in thickness from 0 to 100 feet) is composed of gray, lithographic-to-fine crystalline, medium to massively bedded limestone. The subject site is located on Urban Land-Harvester complex (18A) with 0 to 2 percent slopes. This complex is composed of Urban land intermingled with areas of nearly level, moderately well-drained Harvester soils. Typically found on broad upland divides, individual areas are irregular in shape and range in size from 30 to 900 acres. The Urban land-Harvester complex consists of approximately 65 percent Urban land and 30 percent Harvester soils. Surface runoff in this complex is slow. Urban land is developed with buildings, parking lots, and streets that obscure identification of the original soils and is impervious to water. The Harvester soil surface layer is brown silt loam about 4 inches thick overlaying approximately 33 inches of multicolored silt loam and silty clay loam fill material containing fragments of bricks, glass, and cinders. Below the fill material lays dark yellow-brown, mottled, firm, silty clay loam to a depth of 60 inches. In places, the fill material may be more than 40 inches thick, all the original soil may have been removed during land shaping, the surface layer may be silty clay loam, or the soil layers may contain more than 20 percent coarse fragments. Harvester soil permeability is moderately slow. These soils are not classified as prime farmland. The proposed action will not significantly impact geology or soils at the site. All construction activity will incorporate practices to minimize soil erosion during the construction phase, including the use of best management practices such as installation of silt fencing and straw bales and proper staging of construction equipment. Following completion of the construction phase, the site will be landscaped with decorative and cover vegetation, reducing the potential for soil erosion. Geology and soils will not be impacted by the No Action alternative as no construction activities would occur. Air Quality The USEPA is required under the Clean Air Act to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for pollutants harmful to public health and the environment. Primary standards protective of human health and secondary standards protective of public welfare have been established for ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead (Pb), particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10), and particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5). MDNR operates five air quality monitoring stations for primary air pollutants in St. Louis County. Currently, St. Louis County, Missouri is considered a non-attainment area for ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and an attainment area for the remaining criteria pollutants listed above. The proposed action will require short-term construction activities including soil excavation and grading, cutting and filling, and soil placement. Heavy equipment including bulldozers, graders, and backhoes will be used during construction. These activities are likely to create fugitive dust; however, best management practices would be used to minimize dust and construction would be completed within a year. Once construction is complete and the facility is operational, the only anticipated source of air emissions would be from vehicle exhaust. As the proposed project is for construction of a new fire station and does not include acquisition of new vehicles or apparatus, no net increase of emissions over current local levels would occur. Air quality will not be impacted by the No Action alternative as no construction activities would take place and no air emissions would occur. Water Resources The USACE is responsible for administration of functions regarding navigable waters and wetlands of the United States under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the CWA. A site reconnaissance conducted on January 22, 2010 did not observe any natural surface water bodies (rivers, creeks, ponds, or wetlands) on or adjacent to the project location. The Urban Land-Harvester complex present at the property is characterized as a moderately well drained soil and is not classified by the USDA as a hydric soil, one of the three criteria required for determining the presence of wetlands. Therefore, the site does not contain waters of the United States. Stormwater in the project area drains by surface flow to street level inlet structures along major roads. No evidence of ponding or inadequate drainage was observed during the site reconnaissance. Water Quality Disturbance of soils at the project site during construction activity could result in erosion and runoff, which in turn could impact local surface water quality. As the project site is less than 1 acre in size, it is exempt from MDNR and Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District requirements for obtaining a land disturbance permit for construction activities. The City of University City Department of Public Works does not require or issue land disturbance permits. Although not required, best management practices such as silt fencing and mulching will be utilized during construction of the proposed action to minimize water quality impacts from site activities. Following construction, the site will be landscaped and vegetated to reduce the potential for soil erosion. The proposed action will have no significant impacts on water quality of waters of the United States and no Section 404 permitting will be required. Water quality will not be impacted by the No Action alternative as no construction activities would take place. Wetlands Lands subject to regulation as wetlands under Section 404 of the CWA (jurisdictional wetlands) are defined as: "Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." Typically, lands that exhibit characteristics of hydrology, support predominantly hydrophytic vegetation, and have a substrate that is predominantly undrained hydric soil are classified as jurisdictional wetlands. The USACE is responsible for administration of Section 404 and the issuance of permits for disturbance of wetlands, including discharge of dredged and fill material. Under Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, Federal agencies are required to take action to minimize the destruction or modification of wetlands. The project site is located on Urban Land-Harvester complex, which is characterized as a moderately well drained, non-hydric soil. A wetlands map for the subject property prepared by the USFWS online map service was reviewed (Appendix D – Additional Documentation). No designated wetlands were identified on or adjacent to the subject property. In addition, no areas containing wetland characteristics were observed on or adjacent to the subject property during the site investigation; therefore, the proposed action would have no impacts to wetlands. Wetlands will not be impacted by the No Action alternative as no construction activities would take place. Floodplains Floodplains provide numerous beneficial environmental functions including flood abatement, stream flow mediation, filtering, and water quality enhancement. Federal agencies are required to minimize the occupancy and modification of floodplains under Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management. Under this order, construction within the 100-year floodplain (500-year floodplain for critical facilities) is prohibited from receiving Federal funding unless there are no practical alternatives. According to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Community Panel 29189C0191H, the project site is located in an area classified as Zone X, outside defined floodplains (Appendix D). As such, the proposed action would not have an impact on floodplains. Under the No Action alternative, construction activities would not take place and there would be no potential impacts to floodplains. Biological Resources Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Federal agencies must review proposed actions to ensure they are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or to destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat. Threatened/Endangered Species and Critical Habitat The USFWS lists the following species in St. Louis County, Missouri: * Gray bat (endangered) – caves * Indiana bat (endangered) – caves/mines, small stream corridors with well developed riparian woods, upland forests * Running buffalo clover (endangered) – disturbed bottomland meadow * Decurrent false aster (threatened) – disturbed alluvial soils * Mead's milkweed (threatened) – virgin prairies * Pallid sturgeon (endangered) – Mississippi and Missouri Rivers * Pink mucket (endangered) – rivers * Scaleshell (endangered) – Bourbeuse and Meramec Rivers * Spectaclecase (candidate) – Mississippi River * Sheepnose (candidate) – habitat not listed * Eastern massasauga (candidate) – habitat not listed A Heritage Review Report of Federal and State listed species and critical habitats was requested from the Missouri Department of Conservation Policy Coordination Unit. The Heritage Review Report indicated no wildlife preserves, no designated wilderness areas or critical habitats, and no Federal or State endangered list species are located within one mile of the site or within five miles downstream on streams draining the project site. The USFWS was also contacted for review of the proposed action. The USFWS reviewed the proposed action and determined that no Federally listed species, candidate species, or designated critical habitat occurs within the project area. Furthermore, the USFWS determined the proposed action will have negligible impacts on wetlands, migratory birds, and other priority fish and wildlife resources. Agency correspondence is included in Appendix E – Agency Consultation Correspondence. Based on agency correspondence, construction of the proposed action will have no adverse affect on Federal or State-listed threatened or endangered species or critical habitat. Under the No Action alternative, construction activities would not take place and there would be no potential impacts to biological resources. Wildlife and Fish The project site is a 0.695-acre upland lot located at the northwest intersection of Westgate and Vernon Avenues in an area historically and currently developed with commercial and residential buildings. The vacant site is vegetated with maintained ground cover (lawn) and has been historically disturbed by residential construction and demolition activities. No habitats conducive to wildlife are present at the site and any wildlife using or crossing the property would be transitory in nature. There are no surface water bodies present so no fish are located on the site. Thus, the proposed action will have no adverse affect on wildlife or fish. Under the No Action alternative, construction activities would not take place and there would be no potential impacts to wildlife or fish. Cultural Resources Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Federal agencies must consider the potential effects of their actions on historical properties and cultural resources and consult with the MDNR SHPO to resolve any effects. Historic Properties NPN Environmental submitted a Section 106 Project Information Form to the MDNR SHPO to initiate review of the proposed action. In a Cultural Resource Assessment dated February 10, 2010, Mr. Mark Miles (Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer) determined that adequate documentation has been provided and there will be "no historic properties affected" by the current project. Agency correspondence is included in Appendix E. Based on the MDNR SHPO review, the proposed action will have no adverse effect on cultural or historic resources. Should any evidence of cultural resources (artifacts or human remains) be discovered during construction activities, work would cease and the MDNR SHPO would be notified. Historic properties will not be impacted by the No Action alternative as no construction activities would take place. American Indian Cultural/Religious Sites The State of Missouri does not have a separate Tribal Historic Preservation Officer authorized by the National Park Service. Review of American Indian cultural and religious sites in Missouri is under the purview of the MDNR SHPO. Based on the MDNR SHPO review, the proposed action will have no adverse effect on cultural or historic resources. Should any evidence of cultural resources (artifacts or human remains) be discovered during construction activities, work would cease and the MDNR SHPO would be notified. Historic properties will not be impacted by the No Action alternative as no construction activities would take place. Socioeconomic Resources The 2000 census indicates the population of University City consisted of 49.26% white, 45.35% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.85% Asian, and 2.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.56% of the population. The median income for a household in the city was $40,902 and the median income for a family was $52,539. About 9.5% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those aged 65 or over. Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 requires that Federal agencies focus on achieving environmental justice 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. Based on discussions with the University City FD, the proposed action will result in significant upgrades to and enhancement of the department's ability to respond quickly and effectively to all residents and establishments of the City of University City, as well as providing mutual aid to neighboring districts. As such, the proposed action will have no adverse effect on environmental justice. Under the No Action alternative, construction activities would not take place, eliminating the potential for positive socioeconomic benefits to the community. Noise The Noise Control Act (NCA) of 1972 provides federal regulation of noise, which is defined as undesirable sound. The NCA gives the USEPA authority to establish guidelines for acceptable ambient noise levels. Under USEPA guidelines, outdoor sound levels in excess of 55 decibels (dB) are considered "normally unacceptable" for noisesensitive land uses such as residences, schools, and hospitals. The project site is located in the Vernon Avenue corridor and is zoned for commercial development. The site is bordered by commercial businesses to the north and west and by single- and multi-family residences to the south and east. Temporary short-term impacts due to noise are anticipated during the construction period. To reduce noise levels during this period, construction activities will take place during normal daylight business hours. The proposed action will introduce long-term operational impacts to adjacent residences. Fire equipment and station alarms during an emergency can range from approximately 95 to 120 dB. This intermittent elevated noise would be above acceptable levels but would only be sustained for extremely short durations. This impact cannot be mitigated due to NFPA 1901 and State Fire Marshal requirements for minimum sound-warning requirements for fire equipment when responding to an emergency. Under the No Action alternative, short-term construction activities and long-term use of alarms would not take place and noise impacts would not occur. Traffic The proposed action is located in an area along the Vernon Avenue corridor and is zoned for commercial development. Development of the project site with the new fire station would be compatible with this zoning classification. The St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic 2006 average annual daily traffic volume on this stretch of Vernon Avenue is 8,890 vehicles. The new fire station will be located at 6601 Vernon Avenue on the northwest corner of the intersection of Westgate and Vernon Avenues and would not adversely affect average daily traffic volume on adjacent roads or general area traffic and circulation. The new fire station would result in short-term, intermittent effects to traffic on Westgate Avenue during fire response actions; however, current design plans do not include egress of emergency vehicles onto Vernon Avenue. Westgate Avenue is under the jurisdiction of the University City Street Department. Mr. Olshwanger indicated the City of University City would consider installation of emergency vehicle warning signs on Westgate Avenue; however, a final decision has not been made. Under the No Action alternative, no impacts to traffic flow would occur. Public Service and Utilities The project site is located within an area zoned for residential and commercial use and is currently heavily developed. All utilities (electric, telephone, water, and sewer) run along Vernon Avenue and/or Westgate Avenue and are available to the site. A limited amount of trenching and installation of underground lines and connections to the utilities will be required. The proposed action will place an additional, limited demand on utilities in the area; however, the utility infrastructure has been designed to accommodate the planned commercial development of the area. The No Action alternative would result in no construction activities and would not impact local utilities. Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts represent the impact on either the natural or human environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. The proposed alternative would occur on a project site zoned for commercial development, specifically for the fire station. Other development in this area includes commercial, manufacturing, retail, and single- and multi-family residential. Construction of the new fire station represents the replacement of an existing, obsolete fire station and would not introduce an additional facility to the area that would potentially result in an increase in cumulative impacts. The new fire station design will incorporate "green building" features that meet stringent environmental standards and energy efficiencies that will lower the overall impact of the new building on the environment. Under the No Action alternative, no new construction would occur and there would be no net increase in cumulative impacts to the University City area. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS Table 1 – Summary of Affected Environments and Impacts summarizes the potential impacts of the proposed project and, where appropriate, mitigation measures to minimize the impacts. Further discussion of the affected environment is provided in sections following the table. Table 1 – Summary of Affected Environments and Impacts Affected Environment Impacts from Proposed Action Mitigation Geology and Disturbance of shallow soils Implement stormwater best Soils during construction activities management practices during construction to minimize erosion; landscape after construction to prevent erosion Air Quality Minor and temporary impacts Air pollution will be from construction vehicle exhaust minimized through proper and fugitive dust during construction equipment maintenance and activities dust suppression techniques. Water Quality Minor and temporary impacts from Land disturbance permit is soil disturbance (erosion and runoff) not required; however, best during construction activities management practices during construction to minimize erosion and landscape after construction to prevent erosion will be implemented. Wetlands The proposed action would not impact Not applicable waters of the United States or wetlands. Floodplains The proposed action is not located in Not applicable a floodplain. Threatened/Endangered No threatened or endangered species Not applicable Species or endangered species or critical habitats are located near the proposed action. Wildlife and Fish No critical habitats or surface water Not applicable bodies are located near the proposed action. Cultural Resources Coordination with SHPO concluded Not applicable there will be no historic properties affected by the proposed action. Environmental Justice The proposed action would benefit Not applicable all citizens equally. Noise Short-term construction noise impacts Construction activities will and intermittent long-term impact be restricted to normal from emergency equipment sirens daylight hours and equipment properly maintained. Mitigation not possible for emergency equipment sirens. Traffic Intermittent increase of emergency Emergency vehicle warning signs equipment on Westgate Avenue will be considered by the City of University City Public Service The proposed action will not place Not applicable and Utilities significant demands on in place utility infrastructure. Cumulative Impacts The new fire station will be Not applicable constructed on commercially zoned property and will incorporate energy efficient design. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT The availability of this EA will be advertised by public notice in The Countian-St. Louis County newspaper. Copies of the EA will be placed at University City FD's main office at 6801 Delmar Boulevard in University City and the University City Public Library at 6701 Delmar Boulevard, University City, Missouri. The public comment period will extend for a period of 30 days. The EA can also be viewed and downloaded from FEMA's website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/index.shtm. If no substantive comments are received, the EA will become final and the initial public notice will also serve as the final public notice. The EA will then be archived on FEMA's website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/archives-index.shtm. MITIGATION MEASURES AND PERMITS Construction of the new fire station will be completed in general accordance with the following mitigation measures to lessen impacts to the local community. During construction, the applicant will water down construction areas as necessary to prevent fugitive dust emissions that would impact local air quality. Additionally, construction equipment will be operated with factory-equipped vehicle emissions controls. Best management practices to reduce or eliminate runoff impacts during construction will be implemented and following construction, the site will be landscaped and vegetated to reduce the potential for soil erosion. Construction noise will be temporary and will be mitigated by limiting construction to normal daylight hours. Construction equipment will be operated with factory-equipped vehicle emissions controls including mufflers. Permits required for the proposed project site will include a building permit issued by the City of University City, Missouri. AGENCY COORDINATION AND REFERENCES Mr. Kevin Story Archimages, Inc. 143 West Clinton Place St. Louis, MO 63122 DigitalGlobe Imagery 2007 Aerial Photograph Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map Online Mapping Service http://msc.fema.gov/ Policy Coordination Section Missouri Department of Conservation PO Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Heritage Review Report Missouri Department of Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Review PO Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 Cultural Resource Assessment, Section 106 Review Missouri Geological Survey Geologic Map of Missouri 2003 Ms. Tobi Moriarty, South Area Engineer St. Louis County, MO Department of Highways and Traffic 314-615-8592 St. Louis County, MO Department of Highways and Traffic Summary of Automatic Traffic Volume Counts December 31, 2007 St. Louis County, MO Online GIS Mapping Service http://maps.stlouisco.com/ United States Census Bureau http://www.census.gov United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey of St. Louis County and St. Louis City, Missouri April 1982 United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Topographic Maps Clayton, MO. USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle 1954 (Revised 1993) Mr. Charles Scott United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Columbia Ecological Services Office 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite A Columbia, MO 65203 United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Online Mapper http://wetlandsfws.er.usgs.gov/wtlnds/launch.html United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service State and County Distribution Lists http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/lists/cty_indx.html#missouri Ms. Andrea Riganti University City Community Development 314-505-8516 Chief Steve Olshwanger University City Fire Department 6801 Delmar Boulevard University City, MO 63130 314-505-8593 LIST OF PREPARERS Those responsible for preparation of this document include: Ruth C. Mannebach, Senior Environmental Scientist NPN Environmental Engineers, Inc. Steve Olshwanger, Fire Chief University City Fire Department Ruth C. Mannebach was the principal preparer of this document, in consultation with Mr. Steve Olshwanger as well as the other individuals and agencies identified in this document. APPENDIX A Figures APPENDIX B Draft Facility Layout APPENDIX C Site Photographs Photo No: 1 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: North Description: Project site (parking area and grassy field) Photo No: 2 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: East Description: Project site (grassy field) Photo No: 3 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: South Description: Project site (grassy field and parking lot) Photo No: 4 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: West Description: Project site (grassy field) Photo No: 5 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: North Description: Adjacent commercial property to the north Photo No: 6 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: East Description: Westgate Avenue and adjacent apartment complex to the east Photo No: 7 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: Southeast Description: Westgate Avenue and adjacent single-family residence to southeast Photo No: 8 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: South Description: Vernon Avenue and adjacent apartment building to the south Photo No: 9 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: West Description: Subject property (foreground) and adjacent commercial property to the west Photo No: 10 Date: 1-22-10 Viewing Angle: Northwest Description: Adjacent commercial property to the west APPENDIX D Additional Documentation APPENDIX E Agency Consultation Correspondence 1631 Headland Drive * St. Louis, MO 63026 * (636) 343-1300 * FAX (636) 343-8192