NM 532 Curve Correction Project - New Mexico Department of ...
NM 532 Curve Correction Project - New Mexico Department of ... NM 532 Curve Correction Project - New Mexico Department of ...
NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment 4.9 Cultural Resources Existing Conditions – Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470), NMDOT and FHWA are required to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed project on cultural resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Cultural resource eligibility and potential for adverse effects are evaluated in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) at the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division. A cultural resource study inventoried and evaluated cultural resources within the project area. No archaeological sites or historic properties were found in the project area. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures – No archaeological sites or historic properties would be affected by the Recommended Build Alternative. NMDOT has obtained concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) for this determination. 4.10 Climate and Air Quality Existing Conditions – The climate in the NM 532 Project Area has mild summers and cold winters. Based on 30-year records, the average annual temperature in Ruidoso is 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) (National Climatic Data Center, 2002). Average maximum temperatures range from 49.5 °F in January to 81.5 °F in June. Average minimum temperatures range from 19.8 °F in January to 48.6 °F in July. Ruidoso’s average annual rainfall is 22.71 inches and ranges from 0.68 inches in April to 4.40 inches in August. Because of its higher elevation, the NM 532 Project Area experiences cooler temperatures and more precipitation than Ruidoso. The Clean Air Act established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the following criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and airborne particulates. Lincoln County is in attainment with the NAAQS. With few emission sources, air quality is excellent at the project area. The issue of global climate change is an important national and global concern that is being addressed by the federal and state governments. The transportation sector is the second largest source of total greenhouse gases (CHGs) in the United States and the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, the predominant CHG. Almost all (98 percent) of transportation-sector emissions result from the consumption of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel. FHWA is working nationally with other agencies through the Department of Transportation Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would have no long-term impact on air quality. Vehicle air emissions are not expected to increase as a result of the proposed roadway improvements. Regional air quality is not expected to change, and the project would have little effect on global climate change trends. The Council on Environmental Quality guidance requires federal agencies to consider how proposed federal actions could affect sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and how climate change could potentially be affected. NMDOT is studying energy consumption and CHG emissions from New Mexico’s transportation sector. Because climate change is a global issue and emissions changes due to the Recommended Build Alternative would be very small compared to global totals, the CHG emissions associated with the Recommended Build Alternative were not calculated. Short-term dust impacts would occur during construction. Dust control mitigation measures are recommended during construction as specified in NMDOT Standard Specifications for Highway and Bridge Construction, 1017.14.5 Air Quality Requirements and Dust Abatement. 4.11 Noise Existing Conditions – NMDOT noise policies and procedures are based on FHWA noise regulations and are specified in the NMDOT Infrastructure Design Directive IDD-2011-02, Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise. Most of the area near the NM 532 Project Area is undeveloped. No residences, schools, or hospitals are located within 1.0 mile of the project area. Noise from the roadway is audible at the Oak Grove and Eagle Lakes campgrounds and Ski Apache. March 2013 13 CN 2101140
NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures – According to NMDOT’s noise policy, noise abatement must be considered when predicted traffic noise levels for a particular land use "approach" or exceed the noise level threshold defined for its activity category, which is 67 decibels (dBA) for land uses near the project area. Noise abatement must also be considered when a roadway project results in a substantial increase over existing noise levels. A 10 decibel increase is considered a substantial increase over existing noise levels. The Recommended Build Alternative would not produce increased noise levels since traffic is not expected to increase substantially as a result of the Recommended Build Alternative. 4.12 Visual Resources Existing Conditions - The NM 532 Project Area has high visual quality. Views from the roadway of Sierra Blanca and nearby peaks are distinctive landmarks valued by local residents and visitors. The attractive mountainous and forested landscapes near the project area contribute to the area’s high recreation value. Key viewpoints along NM 532 include the Windy Point Vista and the Ski Apache resort. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would result in minimal modification of existing visual resources. The new cut and fill locations would clear currently forested areas and result in minor visual modifications between MP 0.0 and MP 12.0. Proposed road improvements would affect the road surface and shoulders but not substantially increase the amount of visible rock face or exposed road fill. The cut and fill areas at Texas Turn, Axle Bend Curve, and Last Curve would result in moderate visual modifications. Increased areas of rock face and RSS wall would be visible. The high quality views of the night sky would not be changed and would comply with the New Mexico Night Sky Protection Act. 4.13 Communities and Land Use Existing Conditions – NM 532 is located within the Lincoln National Forest. The forest covers approximately 1,103,629 acres with 87% of the land classified as forest and 13% as nonforest (Shaw, 2006). National forest lands are managed for multiple uses including recreation, wildlife, timber, forest fire control, livestock grazing, watershed protection, and wilderness. The Smokey Bear Ranger District, based in Ruidoso, manages the portion of the Lincoln National Forest along NM 532. Alto is located approximately 2.0 miles east of the project area and is the closest community to the project area. Ruidoso and Village of Ruidoso Downs, located about 4-8 miles southeast of the project area, are the main regional communities. These communities are where the majority of regional residents reside and include most of the region’s commercial establishments. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would not change the undeveloped, rural character of lands along NM 532. Roadway improvements would improve driving conditions of travelers to Oak Grove campground, Windy Point Vista, the trailhead at Last Curve, and Ski Apache. 4.14 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice Existing Conditions – An analysis of social impacts includes a consideration of disproportionate impacts on particular population groups, loss of community cohesion, changes in accessibility to facilities or services, and the displacement of people. Economic impacts include effects on business viability, employment, the local tax base, and factors that are relevant to local economic conditions. Lincoln County is a rural county with a mixture of private and Lincoln National Forest lands. Lincoln County had a population of 20,497 in 2010, which is projected to increase to 24,640 by 2030 (see Table 4.1). Lincoln County’s projected growth rate is 0.73%, which is lower than the state growth rate of 1.72%. Census Tract 9604 that covers the project area and surrounding region had a 2010 population of 6,771. March 2013 14 CN 2101140
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<strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Curve</strong> <strong>Correction</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Environmental Assessment<br />
4.9 Cultural Resources<br />
Existing Conditions – Pursuant to Section 106 <strong>of</strong> the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470),<br />
<strong>NM</strong>DOT and FHWA are required to evaluate the potential impacts <strong>of</strong> the proposed project on cultural<br />
resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register <strong>of</strong> Historic Places (NRHP). Cultural<br />
resource eligibility and potential for adverse effects are evaluated in consultation with the State Historic<br />
Preservation Officer (SHPO) at the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Historic Preservation Division. A cultural resource<br />
study inventoried and evaluated cultural resources within the project area. No archaeological sites or<br />
historic properties were found in the project area.<br />
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures – No archaeological sites or historic properties would be<br />
affected by the Recommended Build Alternative. <strong>NM</strong>DOT has obtained concurrence from the State<br />
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) for this determination.<br />
4.10 Climate and Air Quality<br />
Existing Conditions – The climate in the <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Area has mild summers and cold winters.<br />
Based on 30-year records, the average annual temperature in Ruidoso is 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F)<br />
(National Climatic Data Center, 2002). Average maximum temperatures range from 49.5 °F in January to<br />
81.5 °F in June. Average minimum temperatures range from 19.8 °F in January to 48.6 °F in July.<br />
Ruidoso’s average annual rainfall is 22.71 inches and ranges from 0.68 inches in April to 4.40 inches in<br />
August. Because <strong>of</strong> its higher elevation, the <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Area experiences cooler temperatures and<br />
more precipitation than Ruidoso.<br />
The Clean Air Act established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the following<br />
criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and airborne<br />
particulates. Lincoln County is in attainment with the NAAQS. With few emission sources, air quality is<br />
excellent at the project area. The issue <strong>of</strong> global climate change is an important national and global<br />
concern that is being addressed by the federal and state governments. The transportation sector is the<br />
second largest source <strong>of</strong> total greenhouse gases (CHGs) in the United States and the largest source <strong>of</strong><br />
carbon dioxide emissions, the predominant CHG. Almost all (98 percent) <strong>of</strong> transportation-sector<br />
emissions result from the consumption <strong>of</strong> petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation<br />
fuel. FHWA is working nationally with other agencies through the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Transportation Center<br />
for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting.<br />
Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would have no<br />
long-term impact on air quality. Vehicle air emissions are not expected to increase as a result <strong>of</strong> the<br />
proposed roadway improvements. Regional air quality is not expected to change, and the project would<br />
have little effect on global climate change trends. The Council on Environmental Quality guidance<br />
requires federal agencies to consider how proposed federal actions could affect sources and sinks <strong>of</strong><br />
greenhouse gases and how climate change could potentially be affected. <strong>NM</strong>DOT is studying energy<br />
consumption and CHG emissions from <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong>’s transportation sector. Because climate change is a<br />
global issue and emissions changes due to the Recommended Build Alternative would be very small<br />
compared to global totals, the CHG emissions associated with the Recommended Build Alternative were<br />
not calculated. Short-term dust impacts would occur during construction. Dust control mitigation<br />
measures are recommended during construction as specified in <strong>NM</strong>DOT Standard Specifications for<br />
Highway and Bridge Construction, 1017.14.5 Air Quality Requirements and Dust Abatement.<br />
4.11 Noise<br />
Existing Conditions – <strong>NM</strong>DOT noise policies and procedures are based on FHWA noise regulations and<br />
are specified in the <strong>NM</strong>DOT Infrastructure Design Directive IDD-2011-02, Procedures for Abatement <strong>of</strong><br />
Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise. Most <strong>of</strong> the area near the <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Area is<br />
undeveloped. No residences, schools, or hospitals are located within 1.0 mile <strong>of</strong> the project area. Noise<br />
from the roadway is audible at the Oak Grove and Eagle Lakes campgrounds and Ski Apache.<br />
March 2013 13 CN 2101140
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