Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

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Environmental Consequences The installation of solar panels on existing buildings at Wallops Main Base would have no impact on geology and minor, short-term impacts on soils. Because installation of solar panels would require only shallow excavation activities, no impacts on geology are anticipated. The construction of solar panels would result in disturbance of soils. NASA would minimize impacts on soils by acquiring VSMP permits as necessary, and developing and implementing sitespecific SWPPPs and E&SC Plans prior to ground disturbing activities. NASA would revegetate bare soils and incorporate landscaping measures in areas to be left as pervious surfaces (not paved) when construction is complete. Alternative Two Impacts on geology and soils for construction of the residential-scale wind turbines would be the same as described under the Proposed Action, but to a lesser extent since no utility-scale wind turbine would be constructed. The types of impacts from solar panel installation described under Alternative One would be the same for Alternative Two, but the area of soil disturbance would likely be larger due to installation of more solar panels. 4.2.1.3 Land Use No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, implementation of the Alternative Energy Project would not occur; therefore, no impacts on land use would occur. Proposed Action The area where the proposed utility-scale and residential-scale wind turbines would be located is zoned industrial by Accomack County and would be located in areas on WFF property that are currently unused and are not planned for future use. The construction and operation of the proposed wind turbines would not result in changes to land use, or impacts on NASA or the U.S. Navy’s use of the area; therefore, no impacts would occur. Alternative One Impacts on land use under Alternative One would be the same as described under the Proposed Action for wind turbine construction and operation. Installation of the solar panels in grassy areas at the Main Base would result in up to 16 hectares (40 acres) of land unavailable for future use. Approximately 120 hectares (300 acres) at the Main Base are currently occupied by buildings, roads, runways, and other infrastructure and 150 hectares (380 acres) are occupied by forest, leaving approximately 520 hectares (1,280 acres), or 66 percent of the Main Base unoccupied. The 16 hectares (40 acres) of land the solar panels would occupy is about 3 percent of the currently unoccupied land. This would result in long-term adverse impacts on land use in those specific areas. Alternative Two Impacts on land use under Alternative Two would be the same as described under the Proposed Action for wind turbine construction and operation. Installation of the solar panels in grassy areas at the Main Base would result in up to 32 hectares (80 acres) of land unavailable for future uses. Approximately 120 hectares (300 acres) at the Main Base are currently occupied by 94
Environmental Consequences buildings, roads, runways, and other infrastructure and 150 hectares (380 acres) are occupied by forest, leaving approximately 520 hectares (1,280 acres), or 66 percent of the Main Base unoccupied. The 32 hectares (80 acres) of land the solar panels would occupy is about 6 percent of the currently unoccupied land. This would result in long-term adverse impacts on land use in those specific areas. 4.2.2 Water Resources 4.2.2.1 Surface Waters No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, implementation of the Alternative Energy Project would not occur; therefore, no impacts on surface water within the project area would occur. Proposed Action Construction activities including grading, clearing, filling, and excavation would result in disturbance of the ground surface and would have the potential to cause soil erosion and the subsequent transport of sediment into waterways via stormwater. NASA would minimize impacts on surface waters by acquiring VSMP permits and by developing and implementing a site-specific SWPPP and E&SC plans prior to land disturbing activities. Other possible impacts on surface waters during construction include spills or leaks of fuel or oil from vehicles or equipment. The site-specific SWPPP would include Best Management Practices (BMPs) for vehicle and equipment fueling and maintenance, and spill prevention and control measures would be implemented to reduce potential impacts on soils during construction and continued operation and maintenance of the two wind turbines. Any accidental release of contaminants or liquid fuels would be addressed in accordance with the existing WFF ICP. The utility-scale wind turbines would be located in an area where stormwater primarily drains to the west toward Bogues Bay. Short-term minor impacts on surface water quality could occur during construction, but with implementation of mitigation measures for construction activities and stormwater flow, no long-term or adverse impacts on surface waters would occur. Alternative One The types of impacts on surface water would the same as those described under the Proposed Action for the construction wind turbines; however, because only one utility-scale wind turbine would be installed, there would be less land disturbance and less potential for a leak or spill due to less construction activity. Installation of solar panels would not restrict stormwater flow at the Main Base. NASA would minimize impacts on surface waters during construction by acquiring VSMP permits and by developing and implementing a site-specific SWPPP and E&SC plans prior to land disturbing activities. Short-term minor impacts on surface water quality may occur during construction, but with implementation of mitigation measures for construction activities and stormwater flow, no long-term or adverse impacts on surface waters would occur. 95
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WALL
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ALTE
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INTRODUCTION Executive Summary This
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Executive Summary increase the over
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Executive Summary Resource Proposed
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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 5.2.1 Post-Constr
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Figure 4: Potenti
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ACHP Advisory Council on Historic P
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NPS National Park Service NRHP Nati
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Mission, Purpose and Need, Backgrou
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Mission, Purpose and Need, Backgrou
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1.4.2 Need Proposed Action and Alte
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Proposed Action and Alternatives Fi
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Proposed Action and Alternatives 2.
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Residential-Scale Turbines Proposed
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Proposed Action and Alternatives mo
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2.3 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVE
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Decommissioning Proposed Action and
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turbines because these costs would
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SECTION THREE: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
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Affected Environment The Virginia S
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Affected Environment FIRM Community
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Environmental Consequences projects
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Environmental Consequences Although
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4.6 PERMITS, LICENSES, AND APPROVAL
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Mitigation and Monitoring 5.2.1 Pos
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Mitigation and Monitoring would be
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Agencies, Organizations, and Person
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NASA WFF Technical Library Building
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Name Organization Other Organizatio
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References Cohen, J.B., S. Karpanty
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References Kunz, T.H., E.B. Arnett,
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References Richardson, D.L. 1992. H
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References USFWS. 2009c. Northeaste
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