SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesThere could be a cumulative increase in noxious weed infestations because of Alternative C.Construction and increased use of roads associated with all cumulative projects could introduceadditional nonnative species and would further spread those that already occur. The disturbancecaused by construction and the increased traffic would leave the surrounding habitats vulnerable tonoxious weeds that can thrive in conditions where native species cannot. Cumulative impacts fromnoxious weeds could be significant, but mitigable to less than significant.Cumulative effects to special status species could result from the irreversible changes to theecosystem on and surrounding FTC and PCMS. Alternative C and the other cumulative projectswould result in a variety of potential effects including mortality, disturbance, or displacement, andloss of habitat or nesting or foraging territory. However, implementation of all projects would includemeasures to reduce impacts to special status species. Therefore, the overall cumulative impacts tothreatened and endangered or sensitive species are expected to be significant, but mitigable to lessthan significant.The cumulative effects on general wildlife and habitats are generally similar to those described forvegetation above. Construction of facilities at FTC and PCMS along with the other cumulativeprojects in the area would contribute to the permanent loss of habitats. Increased training at FTC andPCMS would contribute to the overall impacts of Army activities, and therefore, the temporarydisturbance and displacement of wildlife. Overall, cumulative impacts to wildlife and habitats areexpected to be significant, but mitigable to less than significant.5.6.3.10 Air QualityPlanned construction activities at and near Fort Carson would contribute to regional emissions of PMand CO from construction, training, equipment operations, and vehicle travel. Regional PM emissionsare only approximately half of the NAAQS, so cumulative emissions from construction projects areunlikely to lead to violation of the NAAQS because regional emissions would have to double over theexisting emissions to approach the regulatory threshold.The only project criteria pollutant emissions regulated under the CAA that nears or exceedsregulatory thresholds is CO. The Colorado Springs area once violated the NAAQS for CO and is nowa maintenance area for CO. As a maintenance area, regional CO emissions must be maintained tolevels outlined in the SIP. The largest source of CO emissions is mobile sources from vehicle travel.All regional Transportation Improvement Plans (TIPs), including the three highway projectsidentified as cumulative projects, will undergo a transportation conformity determination to reviewmobile source emissions and verify conformance to the maintenance plan and TIP. The proposedhighway projects must evaluate, analyze, and determine that the project would comply with the airconformity regulations under the CAA.SBCT maneuver training at FTC is expected to result in significant impacts to air quality on theinstallation and the surrounding community. These emissions have the potential to travel beyondinstallation boundaries, thereby significantly contributing to cumulative effects.A General Conformity determination was also completed for Alternative D. Because of the regulatorylimits that are enforced for CO, cumulative emissions associated with the cumulative projects areunlikely to lead to a violation of the NAAQS. Further, CO monitoring by the APCD would identifyany violations, and corrective action would be taken by the region; therefore, the effects would beshort-lived.February 2008 5-272 2/25th SBCT Final EIS