environmental impact assessment fever creek bridge …

Western Washington UniversityWestern CEDAR

Huxley College Graduate and UndergraduatePublications Huxley College of the Environment

Fall 2016

Environmental impact assessment Fever Creekbridge replacementAnalissa MerrillWestern Washington University

Gus LandefeldWestern Washington University

Kyle EastonWestern Washington University

Shiloh BrittWestern Washington University

Novella RandallWestern Washington University

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Recommended CitationMerrill, Analissa; Landefeld, Gus; Easton, Kyle; Britt, Shiloh; and Randall, Novella, "Environmental impact assessment Fever Creekbridge replacement" (2016). Huxley College Graduate and Undergraduate Publications. 65.https://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/65

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EnvironmentalImpactAssessmentFeverCreekBridgeReplacement

ENVS 493, Fall 2016

WesternWashingtonUniversity

Authors:

AnalissaMerrillGusLandefeldKyleEastonShilohBritt

NovellaRandall

EnvironmentalImpactAssessment FeverCreekBridgeReplacement

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FeverCreekPedestrianBridgeReplacementEIAProjectTeamEnvironmentalImpactAssessment-ENVS493HuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironmentWesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA,98225October2016DearConcernedCitizen, TheCityofBellinghamisattainingpermitstocompletetheFeverCreekbridgereplacement.Previously,thispedestrianbridgeconnectedSuperiorandMichiganstreets,whereEIllinoisStreet“T’s”intoMichigan,byprovidingasafeandeasypathwaytocrossFeverCreekforresidentsofAlabamaHillandRooseveltneighborhoods.ThiswasanimportantrouteforschoolchildrengettingtoRooseveltElementary.Duetopoorconditionstheoldbridgewasdeconstructedandthetrailclosed.Thecommunitywillbenefitfromreplacingthebridge.However,theprojectmayinvolvenegativeimpactsontheFeverCreekecosystemandsurroundingwetlands.

ThefollowingdocumentincludesanEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)developedinaccordancewiththeStateEnvironmentalPolicyAct(SEPA,WAC-197-11)toassesstheimpactsassociatedwithreplacingthepedestrianbridgeoverFeverCreek.

TheEIAanalysiswilldeterminethesignificanceoftheprojectontheenvironment.Areviewofrelevantliteratureandresearchwillbeconductedtolookatcurrentconditionsandproposedimpactsontheenvironment’searth,air,water,floraandflauna,aswellastransportationconditionsandimpacts.Theproposedaction,possiblealternativeoptions,andmitigationstepswillbereviewedtoevaluateandmitigateimpacts.Thisinformationwillbecompiledintoadecisionmatrixtomakeaneducateddecisiononif,when,andhowthisprojectshouldbecompleted.

Sincerely,AnalissaMerrill,GusLandefeld,KyleEaston,ShilohBritt,andNovellaRandall


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WesternWashingtonUniversity

HuxleyCollegeUndergraduateHuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironmentPublications

ProposedFeverCreekBridgeReplacementEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentEnvironmentalImpactAssessment,ENVS493,Spring2016Analissa Merrill WesternWashingtonUniversityGus Landefeld WesternWashingtonUniversityKyleEastonWesternWashingtonUniversityShilohBrittWesternWashingtonUniversityNovellaRandallWesternWashingtonUniversity

Disclaimer:ThisreportrepresentsaclassprojectthatwascarriedoutbystudentsofWesternWashingtonUniversity,HuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironment.Ithasnotbeenundertakenattherequestofanypersonsrepresentinglocalgovernmentsorprivateindividuals,nordoesitnecessarilyrepresenttheopinionorpositionofindividualsfromgovernmentortheprivatesector.


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FactSheetProjectTitle:EnvironmentalImpactAssessment:FeverCreekBridgeReplacementProposedAction:TheCityofBellingham(COB)proposedactionattheFeverCreektrailcrossingsitebetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreetistoreplacetheexistingwoodenbridgewithanew,updatedbridgeinaccordancewithCOBstandardsforallrecreationalfootpathbridges.Thisactionisproposedduetohighdeteriorationoftheexistingwoodenbridge.LegalDescription:TheFeverCreekbridgeandtrailarelocatedbetweenMichiganandSuperiorStreets,whereEIllinois“T’s”intoMichiganStreet,inBellingham,Washington.LeadAgency:CityofBellingham210LottieStreetBellingham,WA98225Proponents:GinaAustin,P.E.,M.ASCEBellinghamPark&Recreation3424MeridianStreetBellingham,WA98225(360)[email protected]:CityPermits–Clearing;Grading;CriticalAreas;PublicWorksStormwater;SEPADeterminationStatePermits–HydraulicProjectApprovalFederalPermits–Nationwidepermit;WaterQualityApprovalPreparedbyandAuthorContributions:ShilohBritt–Scribe,Tables&Figures,Acronyms,EarthSoils,GlossaryKyleEaston–Factsheet,Background,AirQuality,WaterQualityresearchGusLandefeld–ExecutiveSummary,FloraandFauna,GeographicInformationSystemsAnalissaMerrill–Background,WaterQuality,AirQualityresearch,ConclusionNovellaRandall–CitizensLetter,Transportation,Formatting,andPrimaryEditorDistributionList:Dr.TamaraLaninga,AssistantProfessorDepartmentofEnvironmentalStudiesHuxleyCollegeoftheEnvironment


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WesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA98225HuxleyMapLibraryArntzenHall,Room101WesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA98225WilsonLibraryWesternWashingtonUniversityBellingham,WA98225Acknowledgement:Specialthankstothefollowingpeoplefortheiradditionalassistance:Dr.TamaraLaninga,WWU,WashingtonGinaAustin,COB/BellinghamParks&RecreationIssueDate:TuesdayDecember6,2016PublicPresentation:Date–ThursdayDecember8,2016beginningat2:30pmLocation–CityHallCouncilChambers,210LottieStreet,Bellingham,WA98225


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TableofContents

CitizensLetter……………………………………………………………………..…………………..………………………….2FactSheet……………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….4TableofContents………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………..…6ListofTablesFiguresandAcronyms……………………………………………………………………………….….91.0 ExecutiveSummary………………………………………………………………………………………….…….11

1.1 Purpose……………………………………………………………………………….……………….……..111.2 SiteDescription…………………………………………………………………………………………..111.3 ProposedActionandAlternatives………………………………………………….……………111.4 NeedforAction…………………………………………………………………………………….…….121.5 ProposedAction………………………………………………………………………………….………121.6 AlternativeAction……………………………………………………………………………….………121.7 NoAction………………………………………………………………………………………….………..121.8ImpactMatrix…………………………………………………………………………………………….…….131.9Recommendation……………………………………………………………………………………………..13

2.0 Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………....142.1 FeverCreek………………………………………………………………………………………………...142.2 LegalContext……………………………………………………………………………………………..142.3 ProposedActionPermits…………………………………………………………………………..…15

3.0 EnvironmentalElements………………………………………………………………………………..……….173.1 Earth……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….17

3.1.1 ExistingEnvironment…………………………………………………………………….…173.1.2 ProposedAction……………………………………………………………………….…....19

Impacts…………………………………………………………………………..…………….…19Mitigations……………………………………………………………………..………………20

3.1.3 AlternativeAction……………………………………………….…………………………..20Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………….………21Mitigation……………………………………………………………..……………..…………..21

3.1.4 NoAction……………………………………………..………………………..………………..21Impacts……………………………………………………………..………..……………………21

3.2 Water………………………………………………………………………………………………….………213.2.1 ExistingConditions…………………………………………………………………….…….213.2.2 ProposedAction………………………………………………………………….…………..22

Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………….………22Mitigation…………………………………………………………………………………………22

3.2.3 AlternativeAction………………………………………………………………….………..23Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………….………23


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Mitigation…………………………………………………………………………………………233.2.4 Noaction………………………………………………………………….……………………..23

Impacts……………………………………………….……………………………………………233.3 Air……………………………………………………………………………………….………………………23

3.3.1 ExistingConditions…………………………………………………….…………………….233.3.2 ProposedAction……………………………………………….……………………………..26

Impacts…………………………………………………………………….………………………26Mitigation……………………………………………………….……………………………….27

3.3.3 AlternativeAction……………………………………….…………………………………..28Impacts…………………………………………………………………….………………………28Mitigation……………………………………………………………….……………………….28

3.3.4 NoAction………………………………………………….……………………………………..28Impacts……………………………………………………………….……………………………28

3.4 Flora&Fauna……………………………………………………………………………..……………….293.4.1 ExistingEnvironment…………………………………………………….…………………293.4.2 ProposedAction…………………………………………………….………………………..29

Impacts……………………………………………………………………….……………………29Mitigations………………………………………………………………….……………………29

3.4.3 AlternativeAction………………………………………….………………………………..30Impacts……………………………………………………………………….……………………30Mitigation…………………………………………………………………….………………….30

3.4.4 NoAction……………………………………………………….………………………………..30Impact……………………………………………………………………………………………..30

4.0 BuiltEnvironmentElement4.1 Transportation…………………………………………………………………..…………………………30

4.1.1 ProposedAction…………………………………………………..……………………………31Impacts……………………………………………………………..……………………………..31Mitigations………………………………………………….…………………………………..31

4.1.2 AlternativeAction………………………………………….…………………………………31Impacts………………………………………………………..…………………………………..31Mitigations……………………………………………….……………………………………..32

4.1.3 NoAction…………………………………………….…………………………………………..32Impacts……………………………………………..……………………………………………..32

5.0 ImpactMatrix………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6.0ConclusionandRecommendation……………………………………….……………………………………….327.0Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………..338.0References……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….34


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ListofTables,FiguresandAcronyms

TablesTable1.DecisionMatrixTable2.DecisionMatrixKeyTable3.EngineemissionlevelsforvariouscompoundsTable4.EngineemissionlevelsforvariouscompoundsTable5.DecisionMatrixTable6.DecisionMatrixKey

FiguresFigure1.GISNetworkAnalysisMapFigure2:FeverCreekShortPlatFigure3:SatelliteimageofFeverCreekShortPlatFigure4:TestPitLocationMapoftheFeverCreekBridgeFigure5:MapoflocationofWetlandAandBlocatedonandneartheworksiteFigure6:FeverCreekPedestrianCountsAcronymsAQI:AirQualityIndexCO:CarbonMonoxideCOB:CityofBellinghamCSBC:CrushedSurfacingBaseCourseFAC:FacultativeWetlandIndicatorRatingFACU:FacultativeUplandWetlandIndicatorRatingFACW:FacultativeWetlandIndicatorRatingft,ft2:Feet,SquarefeetIPCC:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeL.E.G:LicensedEngineeringGeologistNAAQS:NationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsNOx:variousNitrogenOxidecompoundsNRCS:NaturalResourcesConservationServiceNWCAA:NorthwestCleanAirAgencyO3:OzonePAH:PolyaromatichydrocarbonsPb:LeadP.E:licensedcivilengineerwithgeotechnicalexperienceppm:partspermillionPM:ParticulateMatterPsf:PoundpersquarefootROW:RightofWaySEPA:StateEnvironmentalPolicyAct


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SO2:SulfurOxideWAC:WashingtonAdministrativeCodeWSDOT:WashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportationWWU:WesternWashingtonUniversity


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1.0ExecutiveSummary1.1PurposeThepurposeofreplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeistoprovideasafe,reliable,andenvironmentallyresponsiblebridgerunningeasttowestbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.CurrentlythereisnopedestrianbridgeconnectingthetrailthatcomesfromtheEIllinoisStreetRightofWay(ROW)andcrossesFeverCreek.Theformerbridgewasremovedprimarilyduetopublicsafetyconcerns,asitsawheavyusebyelementaryschoolchildrenwhowouldwalkfromtheirhomesintheRooseveltandAlabamaHillneighborhoods.Thisdocumentwillexaminetheimpactsofreconstructingthebridgeandconsidertwodifferentalternatives.

Figure1:AnetworkanalysisforpedestriandetoursduringtheclosureoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridge.ThenetworkanalysiswasperformedinArcGISandintendedtoprovideabasisforpedestriandetours.Tobenotedisthattherearenosidewalkspresentonthedetourroutes.(CreatedbyGusLandefeld2016).

1.2SiteDescriptionTheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgerunseasttowestalongtheEIllinoisStreetROWbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.FeverCreekitselfisanarrowcreekrunningnorthtosouthandfeedingintoWhatcomCreekasatributary.Currentlythereisnopedestrianbridgein


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place,forcingformeruserstowalkonstreetswithoutthesafetyofsidewalksortoillegallycrossthecreek,whichdamagesthefragileecosystem.

1.3ProposedActionandAlternativesThefollowinglistofactionsincludesaproposedaction,analternativeaction,andanoactionalternative.ThesearetheoptionspresentedtotheCityofBellinghaminregardstowhatshouldbedonewiththeFeverCreekpedestrianbridge.

1.3.1NeedforActionReconstructionoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeisnecessarybecauseitprovidesasafeandreliablewayforitsprimaryusergroupofRooseveltElementarySchoolstudentstowalktoandfromschool.Ifthebridgeisnotreplaced,thenelementaryschoolstudentsdonothavetheoptionofwalkingtoschoolonapaththatisfreefrommotorizedvehiclesandthereforelesssafethanthepedestrianbridge.

1.3.2ProposedActionTheproposedactionforthereplacementoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeistoinstallatemporarybridgethatabidesbythestandardsoftheCityofBellinghamassoonaspossiblepriortowinter.Thentoreplacethetemporarybridgewithapermanentbridgeatthebeginningofthesummer.BecausestudentsattendingRooseveltElementarySchoolareoneofthelargestusergroupsofthebridge,constructionofapermanentbridgewouldoccurafterJune15,2017whenstudentsareoutofschoolanduseofthebridgedrops.TheCOBwouldneedtoensurethatthewetlandintheareasurroundingthebridgeisproperlyrestoredandthebridgeisconstructedwithenvironmentalmitigationinmind.

1.3.3AlternativeActionAnalternativeactionistoforegoinstallingatemporarybridgeforthewintermonthsandinstallapermanentbridgeimmediatelytoreopenthetrail.Theoverallobjectiveofthealternativeactionwouldbethesameastheproposedactionwiththeonlydifferencebeinginthetimeofyearofconstructionandanincreaseinenvironmentalmitigationefforts.

1.3.4NoActionThenoactionalternativeistoleavetheFeverCreekbridgesiteunaltered.

1.4SummaryofSignificantImpactsFeverCreekflowssouthandfeedsintoWhatcomCreekandeventuallyintoBellinghamBay.BothFeverCreekandWhatcomCreekaredesignatedassalmonbearingstreamsand


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constructionofanewpedestrianbridgenearRooseveltElementarySchoolhasthepotentialtodetrimentallyimpactthecreek.Thiscouldcomeintheformofpollutionfromconstructionvehicles,debrisbeingcaughtinthecreek,anddestructionofpotentialsalmonhabitats.

Theprimarypotentialenvironmentalimpactswouldbepositivebecauseofnecessarywetlandrestorationefforts.Littledamageofthesitewouldoccurduetotherelativelysmallsizeoftheproject.Mostoftheconstructionperformedwouldrequirelittletonovehicleassistedwork,thereforereducingtheamountofcarbondioxideandothernoxiousfumesemitted.Theproposedactionwouldonlyrequireafewenvironmentalmitigationeffortstokeepenvironmentalimpactsatminimumlevels.

1.5ImpactMatrixTable1showsthedecisionmatrix,whichoutlinesthesignificantimpactstoenvironmentalelementsanalyzedfortheproposed,alternative,andnoactionalternatives.

Table1:DecisionMatrix

SEPAElements ProposedAction AlternativeAction NoAction

Earth -2 -1 -1

Water +1 -2 -1

Air -1 -1 0

Flora&Fauna +2 +1 -2

Transportation -1 +1 -2

Total -1 -2 -6

Table2:DecisionMatrixKey

1.6RecommendationsWerecommendthattheproposedactionispursuedasitwouldreduceenvironmentalimpactswhencomparedtothealternativeandnoactionplans.ReplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgewouldhelpprovideasafepathforelementaryschoolstudentstocommuteonfoottoandfromschooleachdaybyminimizingtimespentawayfrommotorizedtraffic.

Score Impact

+1to+2 PositiveImpact(2beingsignificant)

-1to-2NegativeImpact

(2beingsignificant)

0 ZeroImpact


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2.0 Background2.1FeverCreekThepurposeofreplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeistoprovideasafe,reliable,andenvironmentallyresponsiblebridgerunningeasttowestbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.ThebridgeconnectstheRooseveltneighborhoodwithRooseveltElementarySchool.Thepreviousbridgewasdeemedunsafeduetoageandstructuraldamage.Theonlystructureremainingarethesupportstructuresonthecreekbank.CurrentlythereisnopedestrianbridgeconnectingthetrailthatcomesfromtheEIllinoisStreetRightofWayandcrossesFeverCreek.FeverCreek’sheadwatersbegininFeverCreekNatureAreaandflowthroughRooseveltNatureAreaandprivateresidencesbeforereachingtheworksite.Duetotheproposedworksite’scloselocationtoprivateproperties,atributarytoWhatcomCreek,andtwolargewetlandsinthearea,environmentalimpactsneedaddressing.Theimpactsthisdocumentconsidersincludeearth,water,air,floraandfauna,andtransportation.Seasonaldifferencesbetweentheproposedandalternativeactionsinregardstoconstructionofthebridgeisunderconsideration.Theproposedactionputsconstructionofthebridgeinsummerwhenflowratesinthecreekwillbelow.Thealternativeactionputsconstructionofthebridgeinwinterwhenflowratesarehigher.Pedestrians,particularlyschoolchildren,continuetotakethisroutetoschool,causingerosionproblemsandcreatingafurtherneedforatimelysolution.

2.2LegalContextThebridgelocationatFeverCreekandtheaccompanyingtraildonothaveastandardlegaldescription.Thereisnomeetsandboundsdescriptionofthepropertyandalthoughthearea

Figure2:FeverCreekShortPlat,lyingtotheNorthoftheEIllinoisROW(CourtesyofChicagoTitleCompany)


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mayunofficiallybedesignatedasaneasementbelongingtotheCOB,thereisnorecordofthisinrelationtotheneighboringshortplats.In1889,EastIllinoisStreetwasdedicatedtothepublic.ThetrailisdescribedasthatunopenedportionofEastIllinoisStreetlyingbetweenMichiganStreetandSuperiorStreet.

Figure3:SatelliteimageofFeverCreekShortPlatshowingproposedactionlocation(CourtesyofChicagoTitleCompany)

2.3ProposedActionPermitsThisprojectwillrequire5permitsfromtheCOB,thisincludes:agradingpermit,aclearingpermit,acriticalareaspermit,oneforpublicworksstormwater,andaSEPAdetermination.Thegradingandclearingpermitsarenecessaryforanyworkthatisdoneregardingthemovementofsoil(specificallyexcavationandsoilfill)andvegetationclearingrespectivelyforworkinandaroundtheproposedactionsite.Thecriticalareaspermitisdesignedtoprotectsensitiveenvironmentalareasandrestorethemasneededasbestaspossibletotheiroriginalstateafteranyprojectasbeencompleted.Almostanyprojectthatinvolvesthemovementofsoilwillalsorequireastormwaterpermit,alongwithanyadditionalworkthatdealswithimpervioussurfaces.Finally,thisprojectwillrequireaSEPAdeterminationforreasonsthatwillbedescribedwithinthisreport.

Inadditiontocitypermits,thisprojectwillalsorequireoneWashingtonstatepermit.Thehydraulicprojectapprovalpermit,issuedbytheDepartmentofFishandWildlife,isrequiredfor


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anyprojectthatoperationsnearanystatewaters.Thisrequirementisspecificallydesignedforprotectionofaquaticwildlife.

Finally,thisprojectwillrequiretwofederallevelpermits:thenationwidepermit,andawaterqualityapprovalpermit.ThenationwidepermitisenforcedbytheUnitedStatesArmyCorpsofEngineers,andbothpermitsdealwithsitewaterqualityunderthe1992CleanWaterAct.

3.0 EnvironmentalConditions

3.1Earth

3.1.1ExistingConditionsOnSeptember15,2015,aWhatcomCountySoilSurveywasconductedattheproposedFeverCreekbridgereplacementsite.ThesurveyrevealedthatonesoiltypeexistednearorwithintheproposedsiteparcelandwasclassifiedatWhatcomSiltyLoamconsistingof3to8percentslopes(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).

Furthermore,theElementalSolutionssoilsurveyindicatedthathydricsoilsarefoundthroughouttheparametersofthestudysiteandarethoughttobeassociatedwiththedepressionalfeaturesofthesite.ThetexturesofthesoilwerenotdiscoveredtobeconsistentwiththatoftheonlineNaturalResourceConservationService(NRCS)date,andthesoilsinstead,whichweregenerallydisturbed,couldbepotentiallyclassifiedasacombinationsoiltype:WhatcomSiltyLoamandWhatcomSandyLoam.

ElementalSolutionsobservessoilstohavehydricindicators.Multipletimesofsoilswerefoundatthesiteincludingsandyloam,siltyloam,andotherloamysoils.Furthermore,WashingtonStateDepartmentofNaturalResourcesdesignatedthesoilsasglaciomarinedrift.(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).InformationonexistingsurfacegeologicconditionswascompiledbytheWashingtonState

Figure4TestPitLocationMapoftheFeverCreekBridgeRH2EngineeringIncAugust23,2016.COBFigure4:TestpitlocationmapoftheFeverCreekBridge(RH2Engineering,Inc.2016;COB)


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DepartmentofNaturalResources(WADNR). Thecurrentexistingpathleadingtotheformerbridgeconsistsof4to6inchesindepthofcrushedlimestonebase.Nativesandyclay,whichhasbeenidentifiedasglaciomarinedriftandincludesvariableorganicsthatreduceincontinuationasdepthincreases,werealsofound.(Burwell,D.,2016)

Thetestpits,detailedintheGeotechnicalreport,indicatedthatthesiteisunderlainbyglaciomarinedriftofvaryingdensities(softtoverystiff),withatendencytobemedium-stifftoverystiffintheareasuplandfromsurfaceto10feetto1footbelowgroundsurface.Theglaciomarinedrift,itself,consistsofvaryingamountsofsand,gravel,silt,andtheoccasionalboulderclusterorstandaloneboulder.Observedvariationoftheglaciomarinestiffnesscanbeattributedtothedryingprocessofthesurface.GroundwaterelevationsandsoilsaturationlevelswillvarywiththeseasonandprecipitationeventsinadditiontotheproximitytotheFeverCreekstreamandadjacentwetlands(Burwell,D.,2016).

Intheentiretyoftheproposedproject,excavationtothesubgradewillbemandatoryandrequiretheremovalofexistingnativeearthandfillcomposites.Thiswilllikelyentailtheuseofheavyearth-movingmachinery.(Burwell,D.,2016)Whenexcavatingearthfortheretainingwallandbridgefoundation,theexcavationmustoccurdeepenoughtoensurethattheexistingnativesubgradeisconsistentincompositionofin-situsoilsthataresuitable.Thein-situsoilsmusthaveacompositionthatwillnotallowforbearingonthesoftlayersorlocationsthatlackshearstrength.(Burwell,D.,2016)

Topsoilzonesincludebioturbated,whichisazoneofweatheredand/ororganictopsoil.Thiszonehasdepthsvaryingfrom1.5to3.0feet,whichisdependentuponadjacenttreelocationsandpreviousconstructionactivity.Thistopsoilmaybelaterusedforlandscapingpurposes.

Earthmaterialorfillexposedatthebaseofexcavationthatisdeemedunsuitablebythegeotechnicalstandards(seegeotechnicalreport)istobeover-excavatedandreplacedwithcrushedsurfacingbasecourse(CSBC)pertheWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT)2016Specifications(Burwell,D.,2016).

Asinrelationtosoils,footingsforretainingwallsandstructuresaretobeplaceddirectlyona6-inchsurfaceofunyieldingandfirmCSBC.Additionally,thechosenareamustbefreeofallloosematerial.SubgradebelowtheCSBC,ifnative,shouldbecomprisedofstiffglaciomarinedriftandfreeoforganicmaterials.Thefootingsforthestructures,toprovideprotectionfromwinterfrostpenetration,aretobeatleast18inchesbelowgroundsurface.(Burwell,D.,2016).

Theprojectedprojectdoesnothavereasontoexcavatemorethan3.5feettoreachthefoundationofthebridgeabutment;however,thiswillnonethelessresultindisruptionofnativesubgrade.ThiswillleavetheNativesubgradewillbesusceptibleto


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degradationwhichwillincludethelossofshearstrengthifexposedtoconstructionequipmentand/orweather.

Intheeventofaprecipitationeventpriortosubgradeimprovementsandthein-situearthbecomesaturated,thesaidnativesubgradewilllikelybecomeunsuitableforsupportingastructuralfoundation.Ifnativesoilishighlymoisturesensitiveitwillnoteffectivelycompact,andbecomesevenmoresooncedisturbed.Shouldnativesoilsbeingsoft,theremustbeanadditional12-inchlayerofquarryspallsaddedandcompactedwiththedriftintothesoftareas.Thisallowsforanincreaseinshearstrength.Thiscompositemustbeallowedtoset,protectedfromrain,foraperiodof24-48hours,thiswillallowthecompositeto“heal”andallowthepourwaterpressuretodissipate.

Thereexistsahighlevelofvariabilityforthedriftandweatherconditionsdependingonthetimeofyearinwhichtheconstructiontakesplace.Itisforthisreasonthatitisoftheutmostimportancethatproperinspectionofthenativesubgradeoccurs(tobecompletedbyacertifiedP.EorL.E.G)beforeanyconstructionbegin.

Inregardstobearingcapacityandthestrengthoftheearth,theglaciomarinedriftwithpreparationcansupportevenlyspreadloadsupto3,000poundspersquarefoot(PSF)-Thisallowsforthenetallowableweightbearingcapacity.Thiscapacitymaybeincreasedbyone-thirdforshorttermwindorseismicevents,thusallowingthenewbearingcapacitytobe4,000PSFforashortamountoftime.Again,footingsshouldbeaminimumof18incheswidetoallowforanevenspreadloadtothedrift.(Burwell,D.,2016)

3.1.2 ProposedActionImpactsThetemporaryfootbridgeistoberootedassoonaspossible,duringthewintermonths.Thiswilltakeplaceduringthewetseasonduringatimeofpeak,ornearpeakflowsofFeverCreek;duringthistimeframesoils,willbethemostsaturated.Becausethesoilislesssaturatedduringthesummermonths,thegroundwillbebetterequippedtobearaload,especiallyduringtheconstructionphase.Itisimportanttonotethatwithoutsoilbanksupportsimplemented,theseasonablyhigherflowsofFeverCreekwillcontinuetowashawaysoilsoftheembankmentwhichwillleadtoalossofbankstability.

Duringthesummerof2017,asecondconstructioneventwilloccurwhereinthetemporarybridgewillberemoved,andapermanentbridgewillbeconstructedinitsplace.ThisactionistobecompletedinthesummerwhenFeverCreek’sflowsareattheirlowestandwhentherehashistoricallybeentheleastamountofsoilsaturationoftheyear.Becausesoilswouldbeimpactedwhentheyweremorearid,andthereforemoredry,therewouldbetheleastamountofcalculatedimpactsforaconstructionprojectto


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occur.Becauseofthepreviousconstructionmonthsbefore,thesoilwillbecompromisedandlikelynotstructurallysoundwithoutaddedmaterials.

MitigationsOncenativesoilisdisturbed,itwillnotbefittouseasstructuralfillasthenativesoilwillnotcompacteffectivelyduetoitshighmoisturesensitivity.Nativesoilistobememovedoffsitesoasnottomixwiththestructurally-soundfill.Additionally,specialmeasuresmayneedtobetakentoensurethestabilityofthebankfromfurtherdegradation.Temporaryfootbridgemitigations:Toaccommodateforthewetseason,duringtheproject’sconstructionallworkingsurfacesthatundergorepeatedorregularfoottrafficshouldbecoveredwithageotechnical fabric.Thisistoensuretheseparationofthedriftandtoaideintheassistanceofspreadingthenewloadoutonthealreadypresentnativesoils.Afterthegeotechnicalfabric,hasbeenplaced,itisoftheutmostimportancethataCSBClayerbeplaced,thiswillallowfortheprotectionofthenativein-situsoilsfrombecomingdisturbedorloosefromthecommencingconstruction.(Burwell,D.,2016)

CommonlyobservedwetseasonpracticesinconjunctionwiththeBestManagementPracticesshouldbeimplemented,theseincludeconstructionandtruckwash-downareastoreducetheamountoferosionandotheroff-siteimpacts.(Burwell,D.,2016)

PermanentreplacementbridgeMitigations:DuringthedrysummerseasonFeverCreekflowrates,willbeseasonallylowandthereforethegroundwillbetheleastsaturatedandmoststable.Despitethis,wetseasonprotocolshouldbefollowedduringthedryseasonaswell,howeverwilllikelynotbeasdrastic.Itisadvisedthataconstructioneventoccurduringatimeofnorainsothatsoilswillbetheleastsaturatedandmoststabletosupportconstructionequipment.

Priortoeachconstructionevent,alicensedP.EorL.E.Gmustevaluatetheconditionofthesoilsimpactedanddecideifthesoilsandsurroundingeartharestableenoughtosupportaconstructionevent.Onceapprovalisobtained,constructionmaybeginwithadditionalmitigationsasassignedbytheevaluatingP.E.orL.E.G.

3.1.3 AlternativeActionImpactscompletedinwinterImpactswillbethesameasaboveforthewetseasonandthealternativeaction.MitigationMitigationmeasureswillbethesameasaboveforthewetseason.


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3.1.4 NoActionImpactsAnoactiondecisionwouldresultinnoadditionalnetimpactstotheearthandearthsoils.Theseelementswillcontinuetohaveanaturalseasonalvariabilityhastheyhavedoneforcenturies.

3.2Water3.2.1ExistingConditionsTheproposedsiteofthenewpedestrianbridgehasmanyconcernssurroundingmanipulationofexistingwaterconditions,mainlysurroundingFeverCreek,andwetlands.TheApril2016wetlanddelineationsurveyhighlightedtwodistinctwetlands,WetlandAandBasshowninFigure5fromElementSolution,intheareaproposedforthenewbridge.ThewetlandsareclassifiedascategoryIIandIII,andbothgettheirwaterfrompuddlingrainwaterandaredryinsummer.Thetotalareathatthewetlandcoversisover4,550ft2,whichismostthesite.ThedirectionofthewaterflowisfromthewetlandsonsiteintoFeverCreek.Wetlandsarenotexpectedtobeinfluenceddirectlybytheriverinesystem.(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016)FeverCreekisafirstorderstreamandoneofthetributariestoWhatcomCreek.TheheadwatersstartinFeverCreekNatureAreaandflowthroughRooseveltNatureAreaandprivateresidencesbeforeitreachestheproposedsite.Waterqualityduetoincreasedurbanizationisimpaired,includinghighlevelsofturbidity,fecalcoliform,etc.(Shannahan,J.,LaCroix,R.,Cusimano,B.,&Hood,S.,2004).Streamflowinthewinterishigherthaninthesummer,duetotheseasonalnatureofthewetlandsfromwhichthewaterflows(ElementSolutionset.al,2016).

BellinghamHabitatRestorationreviewtherestorationofthewetlandsalongFeverCreekwereconsideredahighpriority,whileFeverCreekitselfhasalowpriorityforrestorationduetoitsverylowexistinghabitatfunctions(LaCroix,R.,2015).AnotherwatersourceisthestormwaterdraincomingfromRooseveltElementarySchool.Thelocationthattheelementaryschoolwaspreviouslyawetland.Thewater

Figure5:MapoflocationofWetlandAandBlocatedonandneartheworksite(ElementalSolutions2016).


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drainingfromthatoldwetlandflowsthroughthestormwaterpipesundertheproposedsiteandintothecreek.(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016)

3.2.2ProposedAction Impacts

Thetemporaryfootbridgewillbeinstalledinthewinterwhenthepeakflowseasonbegins.Thiswillmostlikelyaffectthesedimentreleaseintothestream,aswellaspossiblefishhabitatdisruption(M.JRobertson,D.A.Scruton,R.S.Gregory,andKeithD.Clarke,2006).

Duringthesummermonths,bothwetlandsonthesitewouldbeseasonallydry,andsurfacewaterinthewetlandareaisdry.Subsurface/Groundwaterflowintothestreamwouldbeatitsminimum,andthuswouldcauseFeverCreektobeatitslowestflowoftheyear(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).Therefore,duringconstruction,thewaterinFeverCreekwouldbeminimallyimpactedfromincreasedturbidityfromtheincreaseoferosionoftheriverbanks.ThereisalsominimalriskofPolyaromatichydrocarbons(PAH)fromtheheavymachineryusedenteringthewatertablenowduetonosurfaceflow.

Mitigation

Tofurtherminimizeerosionandincreasedturbidityduringthereplacementbridgeconstruction,theCOBParksDepartmenthasaprocedurethatisusedinallsmallbridgereplacements.Thisprocedureincludesusingdamsandpumpstodivertthewateraroundtheconstructionsite,thenplacingmeshcatchscreentoreduceerosionwithintheworkarea.Ifanyfishweretobeneartheworkarea,theywouldbetransferredupordownstreamoftheworkareabytrainedbiologists(GinaAustin).

Impactstothewetlandmustbemitigatedatarateofthreetoonefortotalimpactedarea.Theymustimprovetheotherexistingwetlandsalongthesite,andsurroundingarea(WSDOT,2008).

3.2.3AlternativeAction Impacts

Duringthewintermonths,bothwetlandsatthesitewillbewet,andsurfacewaterisexpected.Subsurfaceandgroundwaterflowintothestreamisexpectedtobeatmaximumflowrates,andthusFeverCreekwouldbehighalongitsbanks(ElementSolutionsetal.,2016).Theriskofsedimentsenteringthewaterwouldbehigh.ThereisahighpotentialforchemicalssuchasPAH’sfromheavymachinerythatwouldbewashedintothestreamorpoolinthewetlandduetohighsurfaceflow.


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MitigationSmallbridgereplacementmitigationproceduresoutlinedbytheCityofBellinghamParksDepartmentwillbethesameasabove,howevermoredifficulttoimplementduringthewinterduetotheincreasedstreamflowthroughthearea.Mitigationfortheareaofthewetlandsimpactedbythebridgelocationmovingarethesameasabove.

3.2.4NoAction

ImpactNotreplacingorplacingatemporarybridgewillcausemorefoottrafficthroughFeverCreekandWetlandA,erodingthebanksfurtherandharmingthewetland.Fishhabitatsuchaspebblecountandsedimentationmaybeimpacted.Fecalcoliformlevelscouldalsoincreaseifthetemporaryfootbridgeisnotinstalled(ElementSolutionetal.,2016).

MitigationRecommendedwetlandrestoration(LaCroixR.,2015),andclosureofthewalkwayissuggested.

3.3 Air

3.3.1ExistingConditionsAirpollutantsofconcernasexpressedbyfederalagenciessuchastheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA,2015)aredescribedbelow.ThesecoincidewiththoseprioritizedbylocaldepartmentssuchastheNorthwestCleanAirAgency(NWCAA)(NWCAA,2016)andorganizationsliketheAmericanLungAssociation(AmericanLungAssociationetal.,2016);andsoarethefocusofairqualityconcernsofavarietyofprojecttypes.Monitoredpollutantsare:Lead(Pb),CarbonMonoxide(CO),variousNitrogenOxides(generalizedtotheformulaNOx),SulfurDioxide(SO2),Ozone(O3),andParticulateMatter10(PM10)andParticulateMatter2.5(PM2.5)whichrefertoaparticlesizeof10microns(micrometers)and2.5micronsrespectively.TheNWCAAoverseesahandfulofairqualitymonitoringstationsthroughoutWhatcomCounty,includingonelocatedinBellinghamthatmonitorssomeofthesedifferentpollutants(DepartmentofEcology,2016).LeadLeadisanaturallyoccurringmetalandhasbeendeemedtoxicbythescientificcommunity.Sincetheeliminationofleadfromgasoline,paints,andmanyotherproducts,leadisgenerallynotmonitoredfromambientairunlessindustrialprocessesthatutilizethismaterialmakeitnecessarytodoso(NWCAA,2016).LeadasapollutantisnotregularlymonitoredwithinthecityofBellinghamorWhatcomCountyandthusnodataisavailableforexistingairleadlevels(PortofBellingham,2010July;EPA,2015).


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CarbonMonoxideThebiggestsourceofCOisusuallyvehiclesandothercombustionprocesses(e.g.,heatingandindustrialprocesses).TheonlycontributingfactorsofCOemissionswithintheproposedprojectareaarethoseduetolocaltrafficfromthestreetsofSuperior,Michigan,EastIllinois,andNewHavenPlace.Duetothelowtrafficlevelsinthisresidentialareaandthelackofthroughstreets,COemissionsarelowandarethereforenotmonitoredatthislocationorwithinthecityofBellingham(PortofBellingham,2010July;EPA,2015).NitrogenOxidesNitrogenOxidesareveryreactiveandtendtohaveaveryhighglobalwarmingpotential,alongwithpotentialadversehealtheffects,forinstanceforminghazardouscompoundssuchasperoxyacylnitrates(O'Neil,G.,2016October).NitrousOxide(N2O)isaproductofreactionswithNOxcompoundsthat,pertheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC),hasaroughly300xglobalwarmingpotentialtothatofcarbondioxide(IPCC,2007).DuetoalackofindustrialsourcesintheBellinghamarea,therearenoNOxmonitoringstationsandthusalackofdataforcreatingabaselineofNOxpollutants(EPA,2015).However,peranEIScompletedbythePortofBellinghaminregardstotheoldGeorgiaPacificsiteandwaterfrontdistrict,BellinghamcurrentlymeetslocalandfederalstandardsonNOxemissions(PortofBellingham,2010July).SulfurDioxideSimilartoNOx’s,SO2comesfromvariousformsofSulfurOxides(SOx),mostofwhichcomefromelectricgeneratingfacilitiesthatburnfuelswithhighersulfurcontents(typicallycoal).SO2isamajorcontributortoacidrainduetoitsabilitytodissolveinwater.ThereisoneSO2monitoringfacilityinWhatcomCounty,butnostationlocatedwithinthecityofBellingham(NWCAA,2016).Asof2015theEPAreportednoavailabledataformeasuringSO2levelsinBellingham(EPA,2015).OzoneOftheselectedairpollutants,ozoneisamoreregionallybasedandwidespreadtypeasopposedtoapointsourceemission.Bellinghamcontainsamonitoringstationcapableofmeasuringthispollutant,andper2015EPAdatathehighestreachedlevelofozonewas0.048ppmforan8-hourconcentrationreading(EPA,2015).ThisfallsbelowthecurrentU.S.NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)of0.070ppm(EPA,2016September16).PM2.5andPM10Alongwithozone,BellinghamalsohasanairmonitoringstationoperatedbytheNWCAAforparticulatematter.ThisstationislocatedonYewStreetneartheintersectionofYewStreetandAlabamaStreet,veryclosetotheproposedactionsite(DepartmentofEcology,2016).Asof2015theEPAlistedBellinghamashavinginsufficientdatatodecideonambientairparticulatematterlevels(EPA,2015);however,inthe2008PortofBellinghamEIStheyreportbothPM2.5andPM10levelsfor


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the2005year.Bothweremeasuredin24-hourranges,withPM2.5levelsreachingamaximumof21microgramspercubicmeterwhiletheconcentrationofPM10reachedamaximumof26microgramspercubicmeter(PortofBellingham,2010July).BothofthesefallwithinacceptablelevelsaccordingtotheU.S.NAAQS(EPA,2016September16).AccordingtothedatacollectedbytheEPAusingairmonitoringstationswithinBellinghamandlocatedthroughWhatcomCounty,theairqualityisdeterminedonascaleknownastheAirQualityIndex(AQI).ForbothozoneandshorttermPM2.5Bellinghamranksasoneofonly8citiesthatmaintainedastandingof"good"ontheAQIfortheyear2015.Thisisthehighestairqualityratingavailableandindicatesthattheregionneverexperiencedanydaysofunhealthyairquality(AmericanLungAssociationetal.,2016).Thisstandingmeetsandexceedsbothfederalandlocalregulationsforambientairquality.TheacceptablelevelsaccordingtotheNAAQSforeachpreviouslydiscussedpollutantroughlycorrespondtoanumericalvalueof100ontheAQI(AirQualityIndex,n.d.).

Table3.TheEPA'sAirQualityIndex.Numericalvaluesareastandardizationbasedonactualconcentrationsandareappliedtoeachairhazardindividually(AirNow,n.d.).

3.3.2ProposedActionImpacts

Dependingontheconstructionmethodsusedtoinstallthepermanentbridgereplacement,airqualityimpactsmayvary.Adrysummerseasonwillmeanstagnantairandlessrain.Dustfromtrailmaintenanceandremovalofexistingfootingswillbeofgreatestconcern.Thismayleadtoreducedairqualityintheimmediateareabecauseofincreasedparticulatematter.Additionally,windpatternsduringtheprojecttimeframe


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mayhaveanimpactonthelocationofdustandparticulatematteraccumulation.Exactestimatesareproblematictodeterminequantitativelyhoweverbecauseofdifficultieswithlongtermweatherpredictability.Longdistancesofparticulatedistributionareunlikelyastheproximityofnaturalandman-madebarriers(e.g.treesandhouses)preventthis.

Thefoundationsofthenewpermanentbridgewillbeofconcrete(Austin,G.,2016October)anditiswellestablishedthatthecementmanufactureindustryreleasesalotofairpollutants;however,theseareassociatedwithcementproductionwhichwillhappenoffsite.Thecuringofthecementattheproposedactionsitewillnotcontributetoanyairqualityissues(Wilson,A.,1993March/April).

Table4.Engineemissionlevelsforvariouscompounds.*HCindicationtotalhydrocarbons.Tablederivedfromoriginalsource(Helmer,K.,etal.,n.d.).

EngineModel

horsepower(hp)

EmissionsLevels(g/hp-hr)

HC CO CO2 NOx PMYanmar2TNE68

14 0.328-0.534 2.878-5.648 825-843 4.167-4.320 0.460-0.929

YanmarL100AE-DE

9 1.512-1.556 8.305-9.344 706-719 6.159-6.407 1.263-1.587

LombardiniLDW903

20 0.242-0.619 2.766-3.072 767-798 3.004-3.355 0.609-0.636

KubotaV2203B

49 0.075-0.090 1.053-1.234 668-671 4.253-4.272 0.600-0.615

Hatz1B30 7 0.628-0.633 4.025-4.220 758-783 5.126-5.347 0.510-0.523

Otherairpollutantswillbedependentonwhetherheavymachineryisusedfortheproposedaction.Withoutanymachinery(excavatorsordiggers), dustwillbetheprimaryairhazard.Nootheremissionsasreferredtoabovewillbeofconcern(Section3.3.1).Combustionemissionsaremeasuredbasedonenginetypeandsize.Ifanexcavatorisuseditwillbesmall,becausetheinstallationisnotcomplex,andit'soccurringinaconfinedright-of-way.ForthepurposesofthisEIAitisassumedanyenginewouldbelessthan50horsepower.Table4showsfivedifferentenginestestedforavarietyofemissions(Helmer,K.,etal.,n.d.).Theseareprovidedonagramofpollutantperhorsepowerperhourofusage(g/hp-hr).Dependingonthelengthoftimeofuseandsizeoftheengine,totalemissionsforconstructioncanbeestimatedgiventhisbaselinedata.ThiscanthenbeextrapolatedtooverallsiteairqualityusingtheparameterswithintheAQIandsizeoftheproposedsite.

Inadditiontotheabove-mentionedemissions,PAH'sarereleasedaspartofdieselenginecombustionandaredirectlyrelatedtoparticulatematter(specificallyPM2.5)


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levels.ItcanbedifficulttodetermineexactPAHemissionratesasPAHconcentrationsareduetodieselfueltypeandaromatichydrocarboncontent.IthasbeendeterminedthoughthatPAHcontentindieselemissionsisnogreaterthan1%ofthePMmassofdieselengineexhaust(NCEA,2002May).Morespecifically,onlyPAHcompoundscomposedof3-5aromatichydrocarbonringshavetheappropriatevaporpressuretovolatizeandremainintheambientair(NCEA,2002May).

Methodsofinstallationofatemporarypedestrianbridgemayaddadditionalimpactstoairqualityattheproposedactionsite.Ifnotemporarybridgeistobeaddedornomachineryistobeused,thennoadditionalairqualityimpactsexistfortheproposedaction.Ifmachineryisusedinitsinstallationand/orremoval,thenadditionalemissionswillbeaccruedperthedatainTable4.TheaspectofatemporarybridgeexistingoverFeverCreekwillnotinitselfcauseanyadditionalairqualityissues.

MitigationIfheavymachineryistobeusedfortheproposedaction,generallythereisnostandardmethodtominimizeexhaustemissionsandparticulatesotherthanthestandardcomponentsthatalreadyexistinstalled.Howeveritmaybepossibletochooseaspecificmachinewithasmallerengineorabetteremissionsprofile.Thiswillbedeterminedorhinderedbytheexacttypeand/orseverityofgroundworknecessary.

Withrespecttodustfromphysicalconstructionand/orwindthereareseveralmitigationtechniquesthatcanbeemployed.Layeringmaterialoverthesoiloftheworksitewillalleviatedustupliftintotheair.Gravel,mulch,straw,orphysicallysprayingwatercanbeused.MinimizingtheareaofvegetationclearingandutilizingtimeofoperationsaftervegetationclearingalsoacttodecreasePM(dust)release(DOE,2016July).

3.3.3AlternativeActionImpactsEmissionsfromconstructionequipmentforthealternativeactionwillmirrorthatoftheproposedaction(Section3.3.2.1).Thetimeofyearwillhavenoeffectontypeofemissionsthatarereleasedatthesitefromoperatingmachinery.Dependingonweatherandhowthisaffectsthescheduledlengthofconstruction,emissiontotalsmaychangeifoperatingtimesincrease.ThesewillstillbeestablishedfrombaselinefactorsfromTable4.

Dependingonweatherpatterns,airqualityfromdustmayvaryfromthatoftheproposedaction.Increasedwindduringthewinterseasonmayhelptoremovedustfromthesite,howeverthispresentstheimplicationofmovingthisPMintoadjacentresidentialareas,affectingthoseclosesttothesite.Similarly,anincreaseinrainwillhelptoreducedustaccumulationintheairaltogetherduringconstruction.


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MitigationSincetheimpactsforthealternativeactionarethesameasthatoftheproposedaction,themitigationsforthealternativeactionremainthesameaswell(Section3.3.2.2).However,typicalwinterweatherpatternsleadtoincreasedrainwithinthealternativeactiontimeframe,thuskeepingthegroundandsoilsinandaroundtheproposedactionsitewettedviaphysicalmeanswillnotbenecessary.

3.3.4NoActionImpactsHavingnofutureactionwiththesitewillresultinnochangestothecurrentairqualityatthecurrentproposedactionlocation.Foottrafficwillremainasis,butwillstillbelowerthanitwaswhenabridgewasinplace.AnydustupliftedbyfoottrafficcrossingFeverCreekwillbeofequalorlowervaluethanwhenabridgewasonthislocation.Ifnobridgereplacementshouldoccur,itislikelythatvehicletrafficwillincreaseduetosomechildrenbeingdriventoandfromschoolwhichwillincreaseairpollutants.Thesepollutantsarenothowevercontainedwithintheimmediatelocationoftheproposedactionsiteanditisdifficulttoconcludeadirectcorrelationbetweenairqualityofthesiteandincreasedvehiculartraffic.

3.4 Flora&Fauna3.4.1ExistingEnvironmentThefloraandfaunapresentatthesiteoftheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeiscomposedofamixtureofnativeandinvasivespecies.

CommonflorathatispresentincludesDouglas-fir,Westernhemlock,andvinemaple,allofwhicharenativetotheregion(WashingtonNativePlantSociety2006).Someofthesespeciesareconsideredobligatewetlandspecies,meaningtheyareonlyfoundinwetlands,andthushelpwetlanddelineationinthearea.Theprimaryconcernforfloraintheareaistheabundanceofinvasivespecies,anddetrimentaleffectstowetlandflora.ThereigninginvasivespeciesareHimalayanblackberryandEnglishivy.FeverCreekisnotlistedasaprojectrestorationsitefor2017bytheCOB(COB2017),butareplacementofthepedestrianbridgewouldpromptremovalofinvasivespeciesandareintroductionofnativespecies.

Theprimaryfaunathatvisittheareaarelocalblack-taileddeerandraccoonspassingthroughandeatingsomeoftheflora(Relyea2007).FeverCreekisatributaryofWhatcomCreek,whichisafishbearingandspawningstream,butFeverCreekisnotastreamthathostssalmonspawningorotherfishpopulations(NSEA2016).Despitethelackofpresenceoffishinthecreek,thereispotentialforsalmonandotherfishpopulationstoswimupstreamduringpeakflows,makingitanareaofconcern.Takingthisintoaccount,reconstructionofthepedestrianbridgewouldneedtoensurethatpotentialfishhabitatisnotdegraded.


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3.4.2ProposedActionImpactsImpactsonfloraandfaunabypursuingtheproposedactionofwouldbelargelybeneficialbecauseinstallingatemporarybridgeimmediatelywoulddecreasethenumberofpeoplewhocontinuetocrossthebridgeillegally.Florawouldseelessfoottraffic,thereforepromotinggrowthandfaunahabitatwouldnolongerseedegradationfromthefoottrafficitexperienceswithoutabridge.Limitedflowswouldinsurelesssedimententeringthestreamaffectingsalmonandfishpopulationfurtherdownstream.

MitigationsTheCOBParksandRecreationDepartmentwouldberesponsibleforremovingandmanaginginvasivespeciesinthearea,inaccordancewiththethreetoonemitigationrequiredbyBellingham'sCityComprehensivePlan.InvasivespeciessuchasHimalayanblackberryandEnglishivyarecurrentlyoverwhelmingnativespecieswouldneedtobetakenout.ThismanagementcouldcomeintheformofapartnershipwithRooseveltElementarySchoolineffortstoinvolvestudentsandspreadawarenessoflocalecosystems.

3.4.3AlternativeActionImpactsImpactsonfloraandfaunawouldbelikethosedescribedinsection3.4.2.1,butthereismoreofapotentialforhabitatdestructionasconstructionwouldcommenceassoonaspossible.Potentialhabitatdestructionwouldbeacceleratedbyerosionspurredbyhighamountsofwaterpresentintheformsofstreamflowandprecipitation.PeakflowswitherosionwouldcauseincreasedimpactdownstreamtofishpopulationsinWhatcomCreek.

MitigationMitigationeffortswouldbelikethosedescribedinsection2.4.2.2.RemovalofinvasivespeciesandareintroductionofnativeflorabytheCOBParksandRecreationDepartmentwouldenhancethehabitatforfauna.Withconstructionofthenewpedestrianbridgetakingplaceduringthewetseason,anyeffortstoremoveinvasivespecieswouldbepostponeduntillaterinthedryseasontominimizeerosioncausedbyhigherstreamflowrates.3.4.4NoActionImpacts TakingnoactionandleavingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgesiteasiswouldallowinvasivespeciestogrowunregulatedandwoulddetractfromnativespecies'abilitiestothrive.Illegalcrossingofthestreamthatoccurshaspotentialtodegradepotentialhabitatsforfloraandfaunaalike.


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4.0BuiltEnvironmentElement

4.1Transportation4.1.1ExistingConditionsTheFeverCreekpedestrianandbikebridgeisahigh-volumebridge.Numberofpeoplepassingoverthebridgeaveragearoundonehundredandfifty.Trendsshowhigherusageinspringandwinterandlowerusageinwinterandthelowestinsummer(CityofBellingham,2015).Evenafterthebridgeremovedthesitestilllooksused.Thesitehastrampledvegetationandhumangarbage.Soildisturbanceslookedlikepeoplehadbeencrossingthroughthestream.Therewasamakeshiftbridgebuilt.TheCityofBellingham’srecommendedalternativeofwaitingtillsummertostartconstructionleavesthecreekvulnerableforanextendedperiodoftimes.Safetyisaconcernasflowratesrisewithchildrentryingtopassthroughthecreek,andalternativerouteslackingsidewalks.

Figure6.FeverCreekPedestrianCounts-GraphdisplaysnumberofpedestrianpassingovertheFeverCreekBridgeduringtheseasonsoftheyear.Trendsshowthatspringhavethehighestcrossingcountswhilesummerhasthelowestcrossingcounts(CityofBellingham,2015;CreatedbyNovellaRandall).


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4.1.2 ProposedActionImpactsTheproposedactionwouldleavethecreekvulnerabletohumanintrusionformultiplemonths before summer 2017. Human traffic through the stream will cause erosion,vegetation disturbance, and possible stream contamination. Effects of this will beadverse.

MitigationsAtemporarybridgecouldalleviatesomeoftheissuesandkeeppeopleonthepath.Anotheroptioncouldbebetterbarricadestokeepthepublicfromcrossingthestream.Theseeffortswouldalleviatenegativeinteractionsbetweenthepublicandthecreek.

4.1.3AlternativeActionImpactsFeverCreekwouldbenefitfromhavingconstructionstartassoonaspossible.Withacrewonthesite,thetrailwouldbeclosedoffmoreofficiallyandthemovementofpedestriansandbikerswouldstop,thusreducingtheimpactonthesurroundingenvironment.

MitigationsNomitigationstepswouldbeneededbecauseofaneutraleffectofnothavingpeoplepassthroughthesite.

4.1.4NoActionImpactsImpactsofnoactionwouldbelikethosediscussedin6.1.1,butindefinitely.Schoolchildrenandthoseusingthebridgewouldintrudethroughthecreekcausingadverseeffects.


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5.0ImpactMatrixTable5showsthedecisionmatrix,whichoutlinesthesignificantimpactstoenvironmentalelementsanalyzedfortheproposed,alternative,andnoactionalternatives.

Table5:DecisionMatrix

SEPAElements ProposedAction AlternativeAction NoAction

Earth -2 -1 -1

Water +1 -2 -1

Air -1 -1 0

Flora&Fauna +2 +1 -2

Transportation -1 +1 -2

Total -1 -2 -6

Table6:DecisionMatrixKey

1.6RecommendationsWerecommendthattheproposedactionispursuedasitwouldreduceenvironmentalimpactswhencomparedtothealternativeandnoactionplans.ReplacingtheFeverCreekpedestrianbridgewouldhelpprovideasafepathforelementaryschoolstudentstocommuteonfoottoandfromschooleachdaybyminimizingtimespentawayfrommotorizedtraffic.

6.0ConclusionandRecommendationReplacementofFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeisimportantforthecommunitytoprovideasafe,reliable,andenvironmentallyresponsiblebridgerunningeasttowestbetweenSuperiorStreetandMichiganStreet.Theformerbridgewasremovedprimarilyduetopublicsafetyconcerns.Throughreplacingthebridge,wehopetopreserveformermethodsoftravelwithintheRooseveltneighborhood,especiallyforstudentsofRooseveltElementarySchool.Aprimary

Score Impact

+1to+2 PositiveImpact(2beingsignificant)

-1to-2NegativeImpact

(2beingsignificant)

0 ZeroImpact


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concernforreplacementischildrenforcedtowalktoRooseveltElementarySchoolandsharestreetswithmotorizedtrafficwithoutsidewalks.

Weoutlinedthreeactionsforthissite:proposedaction,alternativeaction,andnoaction.TheproposedactionisputtingatemporarybridgeaccordingtostandardsoftheCOBParksandRecreationDepartmentimmediatelyuponapproval,andtheconstructionofapermanentbridgebasedoffofCOBdesignstandardsfollowingtheendoftheacademicyearstartingJune16,2016.Thealternativeactionistoinstallapermanentbridgeimmediately,butmitigateforenvironmentalconditionspresentduringthewinter.Thelastoption,noaction,istoleavethesiteofFeverCreekpedestrianbridgeasitisinitscurrentstate.Afterlookingatenvironmentalelementsincludingearth,water,air,floraandfauna,andtransportation,wedeterminedtheproposedactiontobethebestoptionforthislocation.Weconcludethatatemporarybridgeshouldbeplacedimmediatelyinthesite,theninstallapermanentbridgeinJune.


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7.0GlossaryHydric-characterizedby,relatingto,orrequiringanabundanceofmoistureIn-situ-inthenaturalororiginalpositionorplaceNoxious-physicallyharmfulordestructivetolivingbeingsLoam-asoilconsistingofafriablemixtureofvaryingproportionsofclay,silt,andsandSiltLoam-soilcontainingnotlessthan70percentsiltandclayandnotlessthan20percentsandSubgrade-asurfaceofearthorrockleveledofftoreceiveafoundation(asofaroad)Wetland-landorareas(asmarshesorswamps)thatarecoveredoftenintermittentlywithshallowwaterorhavesoilsaturatedwithmoisture


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8.0ReferencesAirNow.(n.d.).AirQualityIndex.Retrievedfrom

https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqiAustin,G.(2016,October).FeverCreekbridgereplacementinfosession.[PowerPointandlive

lecture].Retrievedfromprivatenotes.AmericanLungAssociation.(2016).StateoftheAir2016.Chicago,IL.Burwell,D.(2016).BellinghamFeverCreekPedestrianBridge:GeotechnicalInformation.

Bellingham,WA:RH2Engineering,Inc.September.CityofBellingham.(2016).RestorationProjectSites2017[Map].Bellingham,WA:Cityof

Bellingham.CityofBellingham.(2015).PedestrianandBicycleTrailUserCounts.InCityofBellingham.

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Coronado,C.(2016).NSEASpawningGroundsSurveys2015.Retrievedfromhttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/552eaedce4b0dc86eeb1cddd/t/5798edc5725e25f85fd4b699/1469640156394/Report+2015+Final.pdf

ElementSolutions,G.Austin,&CityofBellinghamParksandRecreation.(2016).CityofBellinghamCriticalAreasReportWetlandDelineation.

Harris,M.(2016).CityclosespedestrianbridgeatFeverCreek.Retrievedfromhttps://www.cob.org/news/Pages/features/City-closes-pedestrian-bridge-at-Fever-Creek.aspx

Helmer,K.,etal.(n.d.)RegulatedandAirToxicExhaustEmissionsfromNonroadDieselEnginesandEquipment.Washington,DC:UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.

IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange.(2007).IPCCFourthAssessmentReport:ClimateChange2007.Retrievedfromhttps://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch2s2-10-2.html

Klungland,M.W.andM.McArthur.(1989).SoilSurveyofSkagitCountyArea,Washington,SoilConservationService,U.S.D.A.,WashingtonStateDepartmentofNaturalResources,andWashingtonStateUniversity,AgricultureResearchCenter.

NationalCenterforEnvironmentalAssessment:DieselTeam.(2002).HealthAssessmentDocumentforDieselEngineExhaust.Washington,DC:UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.

NorthwestCleanAirAgency.(2016).AirQualityCenter.Retrievedfromhttp://nwcleanairwa.gov/air-quality-center/

O'Neil,G.(2016).Biofuels:EmissionsandAirQuality.[Powerpointandlivelecture].Retrievedfromprivatenotes.

PortofBellingham.(2010).TheWaterfrontDistrictRedevelopmentProject(FormerlyKnownasNewWhatcomRedevelopmentProject)FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement.(FinalDraft).Bellingham,WA.

Relyea,K.(2007).Black-taileddeereasytospotlocally.TheBellinghamHerald.Retrievedfromhttp://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/outdoors/article22195617.html


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Robertson,M.J.,Scruton,D.A.,Gregory,R.S.,&Clarke,K.D.(2006).Effectofsuspendedsedimentonfreshwaterfishandfishhabitat(Canada,FisheriesandOceansCanada,ScienceBranch).St.Johns,NL:ScienceBranch,FisheriesandOceans.

Shannahan,J.,LaCroix,R.,Cusimano,B.,&Hood,S.(2004).WhatcomCreekFecalColiformTotalMaximumDailyLoadStudy.RetrievedOctober23,2016,fromhttps://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/0403015.pdf

UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.(2015).AirQuality–CitiesandCounties[Datafile].Retrievedfromhttps://www.epa.gov/air-trends/air-quality-cities-and-counties

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