Opening of Proposals - Safe Roads to School Kennedy School - Troyer Group

Home Browse Search

PAGE 11 APPROACH PAGE 11 KENNEDY SCHOOL SFTS CULTURAL RESOURCES The potential area for improvement does not intersect any historic districts, but does include or run adjacent to several potential historic resources, including two National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed properties. Historic Property and/or archaeological investigation by a Qualified Professional Historian will likely be required. The level of impacts will largely be dependent on the exact sidewalks and curb ramps chosen for improvement, and their proximity to any cultural resources discovered during the field investigation. Improvements immediately adjacent to a NRHP eligible or listed property would generally lead to greater impacts, particularly if Right-of-Way (ROW) is required or the improvements change the visual environment. Despite this, it is likely that the project can be designed in such a way to remain eligible for the INDOT Minor Projects Programmatic Agreement. THREATENED & ENDANGERED SPECIES Habitat for endangered species will likely be scarce throughout the project area. However, individual trees do exist within residential lawns within the area for proposed improvement. If any of these trees need to be cleared, the potential impacts to endangered bat species will need to be evaluated, and the resulting Avoidance and Minimization Measures may result in a higher level of CE being required. SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER The project is located in the St. Joseph Sole Source Aquifer (SSA) area. Due to the level of expected excavation, no impacts to the SSA are expected. However, coordination with the EPA will likely be required. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE The proposed project area contains populations of concern for Environmental Justice. If 0.5 acre or more of ROW acquisition is required for the project, a full analysis of impacts to these populations will be required. If it is determined that there will be an undue level of impacts to the populations, a CE Level 4 will be required. Given the scope this would be unlikely, but should be considered during project design. SECTION 4(F) IMPACTS The project area centers around Kennedy Park, a large recreational area with walking trails, baseball and basketball facilities, open fields, and a water park. Additionally, the park is adjacent to the Kennedy Academy, which contains a school playground. The project area also includes the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, which hosts open recreation time on weekdays. All of these may possibly qualify as Section 4(f) resources. If ROW is required from any of these potential resources, that would constitute a use of the resource, and could increase the level of CE required for the project. With the proposed scope and potential for improvement to these resources, it is possible that the project could qualify for an exemption from the Section 4(f) requirements. Coordination with both INDOT and the resource owners should be initiated as soon as possible to determine the appropriate Section 4(f) measures. ENVIRONMENTAL With the use of federal funds, a NEPA document will be required for the project. A key to keeping this document and project on schedule will be determining the locations for sidewalk/curb ramp improvement. Coordination with INDOT and other necessary parties over potential impact levels cannot begin until an exact project area is laid out. Once the project area is fully delineated, we will initiate the necessary coordination to determine CE level, and begin preparing the NEPA document. If further investigation for Cultural Resources is required, we will contact a qualified subconsultant to perform that work. No federal permits are expected. A Construction Stormwater General Permit may be required if more than 1 acre of soil disturbance is expected. RIGHT-OF-WAY The amount of ROW acquisition required to construct the project will be the primary determining factor for the level of Environmental Document required. If any is required, the project will not be eligible for the Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE). If the amount of acquisition required is less than 0.5 acre, the project will require a CE Level 1. Any more, and a CE Level 2 or greater will be necessary. Given the extensive potential area for improvement, this 0.5 acre threshold could be passed fairly easily if enough of the work takes place in areas where space within existing ROW is limited. If it is believed that ROW acquisition will be necessary, the expected amount should be delineated early in the project process, to properly determine the required path forward. ENVIRONMENTAL