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

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.
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