10/30/2002 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapter Item -by -item guidance 21. Traffic A reasonable estimate is called for for projects with only minor traffic generation, it is not necessary to provide the maximum peak hour traffic generated. The trip generation rates used to estimate traffic (such as trips per household) and their source should be identified. It is recommended that the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual be used, unless other numbers are justified for the particular project. The level of effort put into the analysis should be commensurate to the amount of traffic generated and the existing level of con- gestion; therefore, the more likely the project will contribute to a growing problem, the more detail that should be provided. The analysis should consider not only the adjoining roads but also other connecting roads that may be adversely impacted. One commonly accepted measure of congestion is the level -of- service and delay times. If a traffic analysis is being prepared because of the requirements of the local unit of government, that analysis should also be used for the EAW, provided that it is based on generally accepted principles of traffic analysis. If an Indirect Source Permit is re- quired, as described in item 22, the traffic analysis method used in the EAW should be consistent with the requirements of the permit application; the Pollution Control Agency should be con- sulted before the EAW analysis is prepared. If the proposer or the local government has identified needed traffic improvements to serve the project, they should be identified in the EAW. For projects within the seven - county Twin Cities metropolitan area, the EAW must address the project's potential impact on the regional transportation system. 22. Vehicle - related air emissions The level of detail needed here depends on the magnitude of the traffic congestion due to the project as described in item 21. When there is no reason to expect traffic congestion or that exist- ing congestion will be noticeably worse due to the project, indicate that it will not cause any significant decrease in air qual- ity. However, if item 21 indicates that the project will cause or worsen traffic congestion, an estimate of the air quality impact of this congestion must be prepared here. This analysis should focus primarily on carbon monoxide concentrations. The level of sophistication of this air quality analysis will depend on two factors. First, the likely magnitude of the air quality im- pact the greater the anticipated impact, the more sophisticated and detailed the analysis must be. Second, whether or not the project will require an Indirect Source Permit from the Pollution Control Agency. Projects involving 500 or more parking spaces may require an ISP, depending on various other factors; for assis- tance, contact the agency. If the project requires an ISP, in most cases, the air quality analysis provided in the EAW should be the same analysis required to apply for the ISP; the PCA should be consulted before this analysis is prepared. Some projects that do not require an ISP may nevertheless require an estimate of likely air quality impacts if they may contribute to traffic congestion. The most common example of this is a project that will attract large numbers of people but will rely on off-site parking to accommodate them. The air quality analysis in such cases should be comparable to that used in the ISP process. 23. Stationary source air emissions This response should cover all sources of air emissions other than traffic, odor sources and construction -phase dust. The most com- mon sources of such emissions are boilers and industrial processes. The level of detail and the degree of sophistication of the analysis should be commensurate with the magnitude of the emissions and their likely impacts on air quality. Where emissions will be large or contain significant air pollutants, quantitative estimates derived from generally accepted air quality models may be necessary. If emissions will be minor, a qualitative emissions description should suffice. Any hazardous air pollutants must be specifically addressed, as well as the greenhouse gases identified on the form. Judgment must be exercised in determining the level of information needed for the pollutants carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from the project in question. This item now includes dust except construction -phase dust. Fugitive dust is defined as 'particulate matter uncontaminated with industrial emissions that becomes airbome due either to the force of wind or man's activity,' such as dust generated by traffic on unpaved roads or parking areas, or dust from storage piles. The locations of and distances to sensitive receptors should be given. Proposed mitigation measures should be described. Air emission sources frequently require air quality permits from the PCA and applications for such permits may require extensive information. In these cases, the EAW may be based on informa- tion being developed for the air permit application. The proposer is advised to consult with the PCA regarding air permit require- ments prior to preparing the EAW data. 24. Odors, noise and dust • Odors. Identify any strong or potentially offensive odors and identify the locations or and distances to sensitive receptors. Describe any mitigation measures. Discuss both odors which have potential human health effects and also those which, although they do not pose health risks, may result in a loss of quality of life to surrounding neighbors due to nuisance or annoyance conditions. • Noise. Any major noise should be described, including infor- mation on their levels (dBA) and hours of duration. However, construction noise need not be described unless the construction 12 EAW Guidelines