SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentThreatened and Endangered Wildlife. State and/or federal species of concern and sensitive species includethe American peregrine falcon, gray-cheeked thrush, trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator),American osprey, Townsend’s warbler, blackpoll warbler, and the olive-sided flycatcher. Suitablenesting habitat for peregrine falcons occurs along the bluffs of the Little Delta River on the westernboundary of DTA and along the Delta River Bluffs (USARAK 1999a, 2007; Anderson et al. 2000;USARAK 2004).The olive-sided flycatcher, Townsend’s warbler, blackpoll warbler, American osprey, and Americanperegrine falcon are sensitive species and species of concern, as identified by the State of Alaska, thatare found at DTA (USARAK 2004).3.2.10 AIR QUALITY3.2.10.1 Air Quality StandardsAir quality in Alaska is regulated by the CAA Amendments of 1990 and the ADEC.3.2.10.2 Clean Air Act ConformityThe only non-attainment areas in Alaska are the PM 10 non-attainment areas in Anchorage and Juneau.However, the Fairbanks area (North Star Burough) monitors air quality for CO and PM 2.5 . For theyears 2004 through 2006, there were no periods during which the CO NAAQS was exceeded. Duringthis period, there were no periods when the PM 2.5 standards were exceeded (excluding natural events).3.2.10.3 Climate and Meteorology ConditionsTemperature inversions resulting from high latitudes, long winter nights, and weak daytime solar insulationare common in some areas of Alaska. During temperature inversions, cold air masses are oftenheld in lowland areas by surrounding hills and mountains, and covered by a blanket of warm airmasses. These conditions result in very stable atmospheric conditions that leave the air stagnant andtrap pollutants near the ground, preventing winds from dissolving and dispersing the pollutants. Exceptionallystrong inversions are almost always present when surface air temperatures fall below -30°F, and their strength increases as temperatures drop further (Benson 1970).When the ambient temperature drops below -20°F, ice fog, a condition unique to frigid climates, mayform and contribute to pollution and visibility problems. Ice fog forms when water vapor is exposedto completely saturated air. Water vapor from sources such as automobiles is cooled so quickly whenit is exposed to ambient air that tiny ice particles are formed. Ice fog is a form of air pollution inpopulated areas where the topography, combined with strong inversions, causes air to stagnate (Benson1970). In a study by Benson (1970), the largest source (64 percent) of ice fog in Alaska was coolingwater dumped into rivers from power plants. Combustion of fuels from automobiles, powerplants, and fuel oil accounted for 32 percent of localized ice fog. The remaining 4 percent was contributedby miscellaneous sources such as people, animals, and leaks from houses and steam lines.3.2.10.4 Fort RichardsonFRA is in attainment with all criteria air pollutants and is therefore subject to the prevention of significantdeterioration (PSD) regulations. The installation is a major source of criteria air pollutantsand, until recently, was a major source for hazardous air pollutants. The facility has the potential toemit more than 250 tons of at least one criteria pollutant. FRA has submitted an application for a TitleV Operating Permit to the ADEC and must comply with several National Emissions Standards forHazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for several hazardous air pollutants and source categories. FRAFebruary 2008 3–129 2/25th SBCT Final EIS