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 campgrounds have access off of NM 532 including the Eagle Creek Campground operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe and three U.S. Forest Service campgrounds: Monjeau, Oak Grove, and Skyline campgrounds. As mentioned above, tourism is an important component of the regional economy. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would have no impact on recreation. Improvements to NM 532 would improve safety conditions for travelers to recreation destinations. No recreation areas would be directly impacted by improvements to NM 532. 4.21 Hazardous Substances Existing Conditions - Hazardous materials are defined by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act as substances or materials that when transported in commerce may create a risk to health, safety, and property. Additional hazardous substances are covered under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). In addition, the presence of petroleum products are considered, since hazardous materials or petroleum products present in the project area would be a serious concern to workers’ health and safety, as well as potential cleanup liability. The NM 532 Project Area appears to be free of hazardous materials issues. Preliminary records reviews and field surveys have not located any hazardous materials sites such as abandoned mines, service stations, landfills, illegal dumps sites, or industrial facilities. Potential Effects and Proposed Mitigation Measures – No hazardous materials issues have been identified at the project area or adjoining lands. During construction, the construction contractor will be responsible for managing hazardous substances in compliance with federal and state laws to ensure that no contamination occurs. 4.22 Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts are defined as the impact that results from the incremental impact of an action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can also result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. No projects are planned within or adjacent to the NM 532 Project Area. In future years, periodic improvements will be made to facilities and ski lifts at Ski Apache. Conceptual plans have been developed for a gondola that would connect Eagle Lakes with Ski Apache. Buildings, parking areas, and a gondola station would be constructed at Eagle Lakes, and a gondola station would be constructed at the base of Ski Apache. Extensive environmental and engineering studies along with agency coordination would be conducted prior to constructing the gondola and ancillary facilities. In the Ruidoso region, residences would continue to be constructed on residential lots, and new businesses would locate in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. Local governments would construct infrastructure to serve these residences and businesses. No other projects that affect the natural environment near the NM 532 Project Area have been identified. 4.23 Indirect Impacts Indirect impacts are defined as indirect effects that are caused by an action later in time or further removed in distance but that are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect effects may include growthinducing effects and other effects related to changes in land use, population density or growth rate, and the natural environment. The Recommended Build Alternative is not expected to result in any changes to regional land use, population density, growth rate, or the natural environment. No growth as a result of the project is anticipated in nearby communities. Indirect impacts could occur to the White Mountain Wilderness if transportation improvements resulted in increased hikers through the White Mountain Wilderness. 4.24 Conclusions This EA concludes that the Recommended Build Alternative meets the purpose and need of the proposed project and is not expected to have significant adverse social, economic, or environmental impacts that March 2013 17 CN 2101140
NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment will warrant an Environmental Impact Statement. Unless significant impacts are identified as a result of public review, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be requested from FHWA. If a FONSI is issued, it will provide approval for final design and construction of NM 532 at Texas Turn at MP 6.89- 7.05, Axle Bend Curve at MP 8.21-8.37, and Last Curve at MP 11.86-11.95. 5.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 5.1 Public Involvement and Local Coordination Seven public meetings have been held starting in September 2006. Many of the meetings focused on developing new roadway alternatives and possibly a gondola. The meeting held in December 2009 was focused more on improvements to the existing NM 532. At this meeting, improvements to Texas Turn, Axle Bend Curve, and Last Curve were identified as priorities. 5.2 Agency Coordination NMDOT has coordinated with several agencies. Representatives from the Mescalero Apache Tribe and Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest participated in project planning. The USFWS and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish were contacted regarding protected species and habitat impacts. Lincoln County, Ruidoso, and Ruidoso Downs were provided with information on the proposed project. Table 5.1 NM 532 Public Involvement Meetings Date Location Topics Discussed September 26, 2006 Ruidoso Convention Center Project corridor study and environmental process were introduced. Stakeholders identified concerns on NM 532 and possible solutions. October 5, 2006 Ruidoso Convention Center Stakeholder ranked concerns. The top three problems with the road were crashes, slow emergency response time, and effects on businesses. November 16, 2006 Ruidoso Senior Center Proposals for new roadway alignments and improvements to NM 532 were presented and discussed. December 7, 2006 Ruidoso Senior Center New roadway alternatives and improvements to NM 532 were compared and evaluated using a matrix to compare problems and benefits. October 7, 2007 Ruidoso Senior Center Revised alternatives were presented and discussed. The gondola alternative was introduced. April 3, 2008 Ruidoso Senior Center Revised alternatives including new alignments, NM 532 improvements, and gondola were discussed and reviewed. December 22, 2009 Ruidoso Senior Center Possible improvements to NM 532 were discussed. Texas Bend, Axle Bend Curve, and Last Curve were identified as priority areas for improvement. 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS Table 6.1 lists commitments to be implemented during project development and construction. Table 6.1 Environmental Commitments Resource or Issue Geology Surface Water and Soils Commitment Rock or slope protection would be used to create a stabilized rock-cut face only if unstable rock is encountered. Rock would be excavated mechanically without the use of explosives. RSS wall with rock-filled baskets would be installed at the curves. Construction at Last Curve would neither involve modification to the existing drainage culvert or work within the Rio Ruidoso. Temporary fencing will be constructed around the wetlands at Last Curve to keep construction activities away from the wetlands. Under current design, Section 404 permitting from the USACE and Section 401 permitting from the NMED would not be necessary for construction activities at the three curves. The construction contractor and the NMDOT will obtain coverage under the NPDES permit for general construction activity regulated by the Clean March 2013 18 CN 2101140
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<strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Curve</strong> <strong>Correction</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Environmental Assessment<br />
campgrounds have access <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> including the Eagle Creek Campground operated by the<br />
Mescalero Apache Tribe and three U.S. Forest Service campgrounds: Monjeau, Oak Grove, and Skyline<br />
campgrounds. As mentioned above, tourism is an important component <strong>of</strong> the regional economy.<br />
Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – The Recommended Build Alternative would have no<br />
impact on recreation. Improvements to <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> would improve safety conditions for travelers to<br />
recreation destinations. No recreation areas would be directly impacted by improvements to <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong>.<br />
4.21 Hazardous Substances<br />
Existing Conditions - Hazardous materials are defined by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act as<br />
substances or materials that when transported in commerce may create a risk to health, safety, and<br />
property. Additional hazardous substances are covered under the Comprehensive Environmental<br />
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). In addition, the presence <strong>of</strong> petroleum products<br />
are considered, since hazardous materials or petroleum products present in the project area would be a<br />
serious concern to workers’ health and safety, as well as potential cleanup liability.<br />
The <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Area appears to be free <strong>of</strong> hazardous materials issues. Preliminary records reviews<br />
and field surveys have not located any hazardous materials sites such as abandoned mines, service<br />
stations, landfills, illegal dumps sites, or industrial facilities.<br />
Potential Effects and Proposed Mitigation Measures – No hazardous materials issues have been<br />
identified at the project area or adjoining lands. During construction, the construction contractor will be<br />
responsible for managing hazardous substances in compliance with federal and state laws to ensure that<br />
no contamination occurs.<br />
4.22 Cumulative Impacts<br />
Cumulative impacts are defined as the impact that results from the incremental impact <strong>of</strong> an action when<br />
added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless <strong>of</strong> what agency or<br />
person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can also result from individually minor but<br />
collectively significant actions taking place over a period <strong>of</strong> time. No projects are planned within or<br />
adjacent to the <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Area. In future years, periodic improvements will be made to facilities<br />
and ski lifts at Ski Apache. Conceptual plans have been developed for a gondola that would connect<br />
Eagle Lakes with Ski Apache. Buildings, parking areas, and a gondola station would be constructed at<br />
Eagle Lakes, and a gondola station would be constructed at the base <strong>of</strong> Ski Apache. Extensive<br />
environmental and engineering studies along with agency coordination would be conducted prior to<br />
constructing the gondola and ancillary facilities. In the Ruidoso region, residences would continue to be<br />
constructed on residential lots, and new businesses would locate in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. Local<br />
governments would construct infrastructure to serve these residences and businesses. No other projects<br />
that affect the natural environment near the <strong>NM</strong> <strong>532</strong> <strong>Project</strong> Area have been identified.<br />
4.23 Indirect Impacts<br />
Indirect impacts are defined as indirect effects that are caused by an action later in time or further<br />
removed in distance but that are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect effects may include growthinducing<br />
effects and other effects related to changes in land use, population density or growth rate, and<br />
the natural environment. The Recommended Build Alternative is not expected to result in any changes to<br />
regional land use, population density, growth rate, or the natural environment. No growth as a result <strong>of</strong><br />
the project is anticipated in nearby communities. Indirect impacts could occur to the White Mountain<br />
Wilderness if transportation improvements resulted in increased hikers through the White Mountain<br />
Wilderness.<br />
4.24 Conclusions<br />
This EA concludes that the Recommended Build Alternative meets the purpose and need <strong>of</strong> the proposed<br />
project and is not expected to have significant adverse social, economic, or environmental impacts that<br />
March 2013 17 CN 2101140
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