NM 532 Curve Correction Project - New Mexico Department of ...

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NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment Table 4.1 Socioeconomic Characteristics NM 532 Region Characteristic New Mexico Lincoln County Census Tract 9604 Demographics - 2010 Population 2,059,179 20,497 6,771 - 2030 Projected Population 2,864,796 24,640 -- - 2010-2015 Project Annual Population Growth Rate 1.72% 0.73% -- 2010 Minority Representation - Hispanic (any race) 46.3% 29.8% 36.4% - White 68.4% 85.1% 85.4% - African American 2.1% 0.5% 0.5% - Native American 9.4% 2.4% 2.6% - Asian 1.4% 0.4% 0.3% - Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% - Some Other Race 15.0% 9.2% 11.0% - Two or More Races 3.7% 2.5% 2.1% 2006-2010 Economic Data Median family income $52,565 $53,871 $50,768 Per capita income $22,966 $24,290 $23,227 Family poverty rate 13.9% 8.1% 12.4% Individual poverty rate 18.4% 12.9% 17.0% Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2012) and University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research (2008a, 2008b, and 2009) During the years 2006-2010, Lincoln County incomes were slightly above the state median family and per capita incomes. Median family income in Lincoln County was $53,871, and per capita income was $24,290. The state’s median family income was $52,565, and the per capita income was $22,966. The poverty rates had a corresponding pattern with a 12.9% individual poverty rate in Lincoln County versus a higher 18.4% individual statewide poverty rate. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures - The Recommended Build Alternative is not expected to result in population growth or large-scale migration near the project area. The alternative is expected to have no effect on populations and incomes in Lincoln County and area communities. There would be a slight reduction in travel time to Ski Apache and improved safety. Providing a safer NM 532 roadway may increase tourist visits to Ski Apache and the Lincoln National Forest, especially during the winter. Increased tourist visitation at Ski Apache and Lincoln National Forest may indirectly benefit the regional economy. The project would not have negative impacts on business viability, employment, or the local tax base. Hispanic/Latino is the largest minority group representing 46.3% of the population in New Mexico, 29.8% in Lincoln County, and 36.4% in Census Tract 9604. Native Americans represent 2.4% and African Americans represent 0.5% of the Lincoln County’s population. In terms of environmental justice, the Recommended Build Alternative would not disproportionately impact any identified environmental justice populations including low income or minority communities. 4.15 Section 4(f) Properties Existing Conditions – As part of the Section 4(f) requirements, FHWA evaluates projects for impacts on public parks, recreation areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. FHWA projects are required to avoid such lands unless there is no prudent and feasible alternative to using that land. If such lands are used, the project must take steps to minimize harm to the land. Potential Section 4(f) properties are located at the Eagle Lakes campground operated by the Mescalero Apache tribe, Windy Point Overlook, and Oak Grove campground. March 2013 15 CN 2101140
NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – No Section 4(f) properties would be used by the Recommended Build Alternative. The Recommended Build Alternative would not use the Eagle Lakes campground or Oak Grove campground. 4.16 Wilderness and Protected Areas Existing Conditions – Reserved lands, such as wilderness, are areas that are not designated for development, road construction, or timber harvesting. Eight percent of the Lincoln National Forest is designated as reserved lands (Shaw, 2006). The 48,873-acre White Mountain Wilderness Area is located near MP 11.9. This wilderness area was first designated as a 25,000 acre Primitive Area by Congress in 1933 and added to the National Wilderness System in 1964 with additional acreage added in 1980 (Lincoln National Forest, 2007). The White Mountain Wilderness Area can be accessed from NM 532 near Last Curve via Lookout Trail 78 or Scenic Trail 15. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would not affect any wilderness or other protected areas. Indirect impacts could occur to the White Mountain Wilderness if transportation improvements resulted in increased hikers through this wilderness area. 4.17 Farmland Existing Conditions – No cultivated farmland occurs within or adjoins the NM 532 Project Area. Adjoining lands are too steep and rocky for crop production. Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures – No prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance would be affected by the Recommended Build Alternative. 4.18 Right-of-way Existing Conditions – The NMDOT has a 132-foot wide right-of-way along NM 532 under permit with the Lincoln National Forest. Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures – No additional right-of-way would be needed at the three curves. 4.19 Multi-Modal Transportation Existing Conditions – Pedestrian, bicycle, equestrian, and transit opportunities are present in the NM 532 Project Area. Pedestrians tend to use hiking trails on the Lincoln National Forest, but pedestrians occasionally walk along short segments of NM 532. Bicyclists will occasionally ride along NM 532. The narrow roadway and sharp curves create some potential for conflicts with vehicles. The need to improve bicycle opportunities has been identified in public meetings. Equestrian use is primarily off of NM 532 along hiking trails and on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and Lincoln National Forest. Equestrian use increases during the summer tourist season and fall hunting season. Shuttle buses transport skiers from hotels in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs to Ski Apache. Increased use of transit to transport skiers as well as summer tourists is possible but would likely require funding assistance. Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures – Multi-modal opportunities would improve. Roadway improvements would provide pedestrians and bicyclists with more shoulder space. The proposed improvements would be minor and pedestrians and bicyclists would still need to share the road in some areas. Equestrians would have access to nearby areas but use of NM 532 would be very limited. The shuttle bus service would continue and have opportunities to develop increased service. 4.20 Recreation Existing Conditions – The Lincoln National Forest areas near NM 532 have much recreation use including skiing, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. Ski Apache is also located on the Lincoln National Forest. NM 532 is the only road to Ski Apache, operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. In addition to the ski area, other popular recreation destinations are located along this roadway including the Lincoln National Forest, fishing areas along Eagle Creek, and Windy Point Vista. Several March 2013 16 CN 2101140
Page 1 and 2: Notice of Environmental Assessment
Page 4 and 5: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 SUMMARY .....
Page 6 and 7: NM 532 Curve Correction Project Env
Page 8 and 9: Texas Turn MP 6.89-7.05 Last Curve
Page 10 and 11: San Juan Rio Arriba Taos Colfax Uni
Page 26 and 27: VICINITY MAP LEGEND INTENT SCALES V
Page 28 and 29: ℄ NM-532 PROPOSED RSS WALL LEFT S
Page 30 and 31: TYPICAL GEOGRID COVERAGE TYPICAL RS
Page 32 and 33: FACING UNIT REINFORCED SOIL SLOPE D
Page 34 and 35: NM 532 VICINITY MAP NTS Δ LEGEND E
Page 36 and 37: NM 532 VICINITY MAP NTS Δ LAST CUR
Page 38 and 39: From: To: Subject: Date: Wallace, L
Page 40 and 41: NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT O
Page 42: parties involved in the project to
Page 46 and 47: Bibliography Banks, P.E. undated. B

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