environmental planning

I-290/Eisenhower Expressway Improvements, EIS and Noise Studies

gzachris — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 18:47:29 +0000

I-290/Eisenhower Expressway Improvements, EIS and Noise Studies

Chicago, IL

gzachris Mon, 01/22/2024 - 13:47

Challenge

The Interstate 290 (I-290) Eisenhower Expressway improvement project, involving reconstruction and/or upgrades for the congested, 50-year-old multi-modal corridor, has a long history and has proceeded in phases commensurate with available funding. Public scrutiny of the project is high, particularly for the traffic noise. The high-profile nature of the project, dense urban development through which the project corridor extends, and length of the project corridor—from the western Chicago suburbs to downtown Chicago—added complexity to the project’s traffic noise analysis.

Solution

The scope of our analysis was massive. Over 10,000 individual receptors were studied. Four project alternatives were examined for traffic impacts, and then the preferred alternative was studied for traffic impacts as well as noise abatement analysis. Based on public comments, sensitivity analyses in particularly dense residential areas and for a nearby Chicago Parks District property were completed to determine the traffic noise consequences of various alternatives. Nearly all land adjacent to the I-290 study corridor was found to have traffic impacts in the future condition. Of 92 noise walls analyzed, 63 were deemed feasible, met IDOT’s noise reduction design goal, and were cost effective. Viewpoint solicitation packages were developed for those who would receive a noise reduction benefit from the noise walls. ��Ϸ�� also worked with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to develop materials for “noise forums�� at which votes were cast for available noise wall alternatives. With great focus from the public, alternatives changed frequently through the project in response to the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process.

In addition to the traffic noise analysis, our natural resources and permitting experts completed a wetland analysis, tree survey, natural resources review, threatened and endangered species analysis, and water quality analysis, and we worked closely with the project’s engineering team to develop the floodplains analysis for the EIS.

Benefit

GZA’s team was uniquely capable of tackling a project of this scope and sensitivity, delivering a state-of-the-art technical report and working closely with the public and agencies throughout the noise analysis process to address heightened concerns about traffic noise impacts. Our noise expertise was augmented by the firm’s multi-disciplinary capacity, providing other key services for the EIS.

A Supplemental EIS and update to this 2019 EIS commenced in 2023.

Traffic Noise Model (TNM)
Traffic noise and noise abatement analyses
EIS
High profile
Extensive public outreach, “noise forums��
Dense urban environment
Exceptionally large project area
Significant traffic impacts anticipated for adjacent land
��Ϸ��tlands, floodplains
Natural resources, vegetation survey

Government

Land Use and Environmental Planning

IDOT High Speed Rail Project - Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1 and 2 EIS and Environmental Services

gzachris — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 18:39:27 +0000

IDOT High Speed Rail Project - Chicago to St. Louis Tier 1 and 2 EIS and Environmental Services

Illinois to Missouri

gzachris Mon, 01/22/2024 - 13:39

Background

GZA contributed to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT’s) Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 284-mile-long Intercity High Speed Rail (HSR) Project between Chicago and St. Louis and Tier 2 EIS for related regional rail projects. Improvements to existing rail corridors and stations are being completed to accommodate the high-speed trains.

Challenge

GZA completed environmental studies and document preparation related to wetlands, threatened and endangered species, bat habitat assessments, prairie characterization surveys, flora, mussel, avian, insect, and herpetofauna surveys. ��Ϸ�� also provided noise monitoring to assess potential impacts to grassland birds. The length of the corridor and varied and brief timeframes for species surveys made the project more challenging.

Solution

GZA addressed many aspects of potential impacts along the extensive project corridor: completed multiple threatened and endangered (T&E) species surveys; prepared a Conservation Plan and Biological Assessment for several species; completed wetland delineations and complex permitting; and conducted noise monitoring to assess impacts to grassland birds. Numerous on-site surveys for sensitive natural resources were conducted along rail segments between 2010 and 2021. Numerous documents were prepared for submittal to regulatory agencies.

Benefit

GZA provided the necessary natural resources expertise, project management, and capacity for this vast project to secure all necessary permits with no delay to the tight construction schedule.

This project, started by Huff & Huff prior to its acquisition by GZA, has continued as a GZA project.

Natural resources consulting
Noise monitoring
T&E species, flora, prairie, herpetofauna, avian surveys
Federally funded
Review and preparation of NEPA documents and 4(f) statements
Permitting agencies include IDNR, USFWS, IEPA, and USACE

Illinois

Government

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Berry Street Battery Energy Storage System Special Permit

gzachris — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:50:43 +0000

Berry Street Battery Energy Storage System Special Permit

Brooklyn, NY

gzachris Mon, 01/22/2024 - 11:50

Background

Con Edison’s Water Street Network in Brooklyn is among its oldest electrical distribution networks. It has become stressed by the increasing electrical demands of robust real estate development and is increasingly impacted by extreme weather and coastal flooding events. To bolster the network’s reliability and resiliency, a private micro-utility, with approval from the New York Public Service Commission and Con Edison, proposed construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to reduce future brownouts and outages within the network by introducing increased capacity, flexibility, and control into the power microgrid.

Challenge

Construction of the BESS on the roof and exterior ground floor level of an existing seven-story residential building on Berry Street in densely populated, historic Brooklyn Community District 1 required a Special Permit (BSA §73-14) from the City of New York. It is the first such permit requested for a residential building. Residents of the building expressed numerous concerns which GZA’s planners addressed in the CEQR process.

Solution

GZA’s CEQR documentation included acoustic/noise/vibration studies; visual assessment and urban design; fire and blast analyses; extremely low frequency wave (ELF) generation analysis; and professional testimony.

The comprehensive acoustic/noise/vibration study included sound monitoring conducted at an existing facility in California to identify the sound generation properties of the components (including storage cubes, transformer, and inverters); using SoundPlan, a sound model was built; data was compared to NYC noise codes; and then tailored, custom-designed mitigations were developed to address exceedances. The visual assessment addressed shadows and urban design recommendations to reduce the visual impact of the facility on the adjacent park. A thorough fire and blast safety analysis was prepared as well as comprehensive research on the impact of ELF generated by the transformers. GZA planners attended public meetings to provide professional testimony on its analyses and findings. Negotiation between the private micro-utility and the building residents continues.

Benefit

GZA’s planners tackled a first-of-its-kind Special Permit, helping navigate the process to create small substations, which experts anticipate will become integral to reliable and resilient power distribution in densely populated urban areas with aging utility infrastructure.

Land use, resiliency planning
CEQR
Special permit (BSA §73-14) �� first of its kind
Microgrid
Acoustic/noise/vibration study
Visual assessment and urban design
Fire and blast analyses
Extremely Low Frequency wave (ELF) generation analysis
Professional testimony

New York

Energy

Land Use and Environmental Planning

CAMBA Housing Ventures, Clarkson Avenue Affordable Housing Development

gzachris — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:21:27 +0000

CAMBA Housing Ventures, Clarkson Avenue Affordable Housing Development

Brooklyn, NY

gzachris Mon, 01/22/2024 - 11:21

Background

Eligible for the “Vital Brooklyn�� economic development program, a New York State-owned parking facility at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University campus was well-positioned to help revitalize an under-utilized neighborhood. CAMBA Housing Ventures, specialists in affordable housing development, identified the 329 Clarkson Avenue site as meeting two critical program requirements: it would provide much-needed affordable housing and produce revenue from a State-owned asset. GZA’s environmental planners and engineers already had intimate familiarity with the neighborhood because of successful planning projects completed for this developer and others in the area.

Challenge

The parking garage sat atop a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site, subject to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Site Management Plan to address soil and soil gas issues. Numerous parties were stakeholders in this highly regulated, contaminated, high profile site. The involvement of multiple regulatory organizations and funders—each with separate requirements and deadlines—necessitated that the typically lengthy environmental remediation and planning process be streamlined. A nimble approach to meeting regulatory deadlines in sync with funding cycles was needed to maximize funding.

Solution

GZA’s multi-disciplinary team of environmental and planning professionals negotiated with numerous state and city regulating bodies to streamline the involvement of responsible parties, prioritized the establishment of a single level of jurisdiction (at the state level, instead of both state and city), secured an acceptable Remedial Site Optimization Investigation (RSOI) that allowed GZA to proceed with the remedial measures, and obtained the necessary state zoning override. A 9-story, 300-unit mixed-use development was approved, introducing a landmark, amenity-rich, passive house-certified building featuring 100% affordable housing inventory; social, welfare and job training services; sustainable features including a green roof; and more. The environmental remediation is currently being completed by GZA.

Benefit

GZA’s diligence, multi-disciplinary team, and innovative solutions overcame complex timing and regulatory hurdles to help the client optimize funding sources and create a vibrant and healthy neighborhood that will generate productive revenue from the state-owned site while maintaining the necessary community parking asset it displaced.

GZA is currently facilitating the construction term remedial engineering and design process associated with an approved remedial action plan.

Press

https://thenyhc.org/projects/clarkson-estates/
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-start-construction-328-unit-affordable-housing-development-brooklyn
https://www.multihousingnews.com/camba-breaks-ground-on-brooklyn-affordable-community/
https://patch.com/new-york/prospectheights/massive-affordable-housing-development-coming-clarkson-avenue

Multi-disciplinary site investigation and environmental planning
High profile
Contamination related to former MGP Site
SEQR, CEQR, NEPA (HUD)
Land use, zoning, and public policy
Multiple regulatory agencies involved including New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Department of City Planning (NYC DCP), New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (NYS HCR)
Comprehensive studies included noise, transportation, air quality

Rendering courtesy of Cetra Ruddy Architecture

New York

Buildings & Real Estate Development

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Environmental Site Investigation & Remediation

Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam Improvement Project - Design and Permitting

gzadan — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 18:14:26 +0000

Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam Improvement Project - Design and Permitting gzadan Thu, 10/27/2022 - 14:14

Challenge

The Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam is a Significant Hazard potential, Intermediate-sized embankment dam owned and operated by the City of Springfield through their Department of Parks, Buildings, & Recreation Management. The dam is the roadway embankment for Armory Street, roughly between Chapin Terrace to the southeast and Beauchamp Street to the northwest. Immediately downstream of the Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam is the Lower Van Horn Reservoir. The two reservoirs are located along an unnamed tributary stream to the Connecticut River. The upper dam and its impoundment are located within the City’s right-of-way for Armory Street and within Van Horn Park.

The dam is comprised of an earthen embankment with twin 8 ft wide x 5 ft high box culverts serving as the primary, uncontrolled spillway. These culverts discharge to a steeply sloped concrete spillway chute which flows into the downstream Lower Van Horn Reservoir, which in turn outlets to a 48-inch diameter concrete pipe, which is part of the City of Springfield’s stormwater drainage system, and which ultimately discharges into the Connecticut River, approximately 1.5 miles west of the Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam.

The dam is currently rated in Poor Condition, with deficiencies, including:

Trees and woody vegetation along the upstream and downstream slopes
Significant erosion on the upstream and downstream slopes
Uncontrolled clear seepage along the toe of the dam
Concrete condition issues
Uncontrolled discharge from a ponded area near the left downstream groin/abutment contributing to erosion
Animal burrows
Insufficient section relative to seepage and stability
Lack of a low-level outlet or provisions for lowering the water level
No Emergency Action Plan
No Operations and Maintenance Plan

Solution

GZA helped the City prepare a successful Dam and Seawall Grant Application to cover design and permitting services related to improvements needed to bring the Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam into Good Condition.

GZA is currently working on continued design development and is pursuing project permits, which will include the following:

Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Section 404 Authorization (Army Corps of Engineers)
Section 401 Water Quality Certificate (MassDEP)
Chapter 253 Dam Safety Permit (MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Office of Dam Safety)
Order of Conditions (OOC)/��Ϸ��tlands Notice of Intent
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Notice of Intent

Benefit

The proposed design will include:

Removal of all trees and woody vegetation and establishment of turf along embankment portions of the dam
Flattening of the overly steep slopes and installation of stability berm
Filling of all areas of erosion and burrows Installation of a toe drain and filter on the downstream slope
Concrete repairs to the existing box culverts and construction of a new spillway chute
Grouting and partial removal of a former outlet line from the pond
Installation of a permanent new access for maintenance
Construction of a new drainage system along the streetline with new outlets into the spillway chute
Re-culverting an area of stream along the downstream slope where the former culvert piping has failed
Installation of a siphon for drawdown capabilities

Prepared successful Dam and Seawall Grant Application
Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
Geotechnical engineering
Dam engineering and design
Permitting
Construction documents

Government

Dams, Levees, and Hydropower

Marshfield Municipal Airport/George Harlow Field Runway Extension Permitting

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:14:57 +0000

Marshfield Municipal Airport/George Harlow Field Runway Extension Permitting Anonymous Tue, 09/24/2019 - 12:14

Challenge

The airport’s proposed runway extension required seven separate environmental permitting processes at the most stringent regulatory levels. GZA has served as the natural resource consultant for this coastal airport—which has rivers and wetlands at both ends of the runway and rare species associated with the immediately adjacent habitats—for many years.

Solution

The MEPA/NEPA process was used as a “big-table�� permitting and mitigation strategy tool, bringing all the permit authorities together. In addition to leading all environmental permitting, GZA’s most client-critical role was devising a wetland and rare species mitigation package, including:

Bass Creek and Green Harbor River at Runway Ends �� GZA coordinated with regulators to establish reasonable mitigation measures
Direct ��Ϸ��tland Impact (>1 acre)/Entire Runway in Flood Zone �� GZA designed a 3+ wetland mitigation area as replacement and coordinated with regulators to establish “in lieu fee�� for Bass Creek
Removal of Trees in Airspace Within ��Ϸ��tlands �� GZA’s field review characterized all cutting areas and a Vegetation Management Plan minimized impacts
Protected Box Turtle �� GZA conducted a Turtle Telemetry Study, designed and permitted turtle nesting sites, and facilitated purchase of an adjacent farm for habitat replacement

GZA also provided ecological compliance monitoring for the construction and mitigation elements of the project, as well as long-term ecological monitoring for the restoration of Bass Creek.

Benefit

GZA’s extensive knowledge of the facility, surroundings, and regulatory environment facilitated the successful permitting for much-needed airport infrastructure.

Insights

MEPA/NEPA Documents
Vegetation, Invasive Species, and Rare Species Management Plans
Box Turtle Telemetry
��Ϸ��tland Delineation, Impact Assessment, Mitigation Design
��Ϸ��tland & Rare Species Permitting
Expert Witness Testimony
Public Presentation
Stakeholder Outreach
Construction Monitoring
Long-term Ecological Restoration Monitoring

Massachusetts

Transportation & Infrastructure

EHS Regulatory Compliance

Land Use and Environmental Planning