Environmental Analysis Throughout an EIS process, beneficial and adverse social, economic, and environmental impacts are evaluated. The following analyses will be included in the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS: Social/Economic Land Use and Neighborhoods Parks and Recreational Facilities Relocation Wetlands Water Quality Floodplain & Drainage Air Quality Visual Wildlife Threatened and Endangered Species Noise Historical/Cultural Archaeology Paleontology Hazardous Materials/Waste Farmland Cumulative Construction   Social/Economic - Evaluation of changes in the neighborhoods or community cohesion for the various social groups; changes in travel patterns and accessibility; impacts on school districts, recreation areas, churches, businesses, police, and fire protection as a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. The economic impacts on the regional and/or local economy will also be evaluated. back to top Land Use and Neighborhoods - Identification of the current development trends and Colorado's, Douglas County's, and the Town of Castle Rock's plans and policies on land use and growth in the area that will be impacted by the alternatives considered under the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS. This also includes a discussion of any affected neighborhoods. back to top Parks and Recreational Facilities (Section 4(f)/6(f)) - Section 4(f) applies to publicly owned lands which are managed as parks and recreation areas, wildlife or waterfowl refuges, and to all historic sites regardless of ownership. Section 6(f) applies to property acquired or developed with grants obtained from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Using land protected under Sections 4(f) and 6(f) for Federally-aided transportation projects cannot be approved unless a determination is made that there is no other feasible and prudent alternative to the proposed action, and the proposed action incorporates all possible planning to minimize harm. Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) resources located within the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS will be identified. Impacts as a result of the EIS alternatives under consideration will be identified and proposed measures to minimize harm will be discussed. back to top Relocation - Identification of the number of households and businesses that will be relocated as a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. back to top Wetlands - Identification of the wetlands within the project area, including wetlands type, quality, and function. Description of any impacts that is a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration and identification of practicable measures to minimize harm to the wetlands. back to top Water Quality - Summary of the water quality analysis completed for Plum Creek. Description of the ambient conditions of Plum Creek and identification of the potential impacts of each alternative and proposed mitigation measures. Also, identification of any location where roadway runoff or other nonpoint source pollution may have an adverse impact on any water source that is a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. back to top Floodplain & Drainage - Based on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a determination of encroachment on the 100-year floodplain as a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. For any encroachment, a discussion of the flooding risks, the impacts on natural and beneficial floodplain values, the support of probable incompatible floodplain development, and measure to minimize harm to floodplains. back to top Air Quality - The Environmental Protection Agency has designated the Denver region as a non-attainment area for carbon monoxide and ozone, and a moderate non-attainment area for particulates (PM-10). Discussion of the transportation related air quality concerns in the project area and the completion of a "hot spot" analysis. Discussion of adherence to a Congestion Management Plan and conformity with the State Implementation Plan. back to top Visual - Discussion of the potential visual quality impacts that may result from the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. This includes impacts to the existing visual resource, the relationship of the impacts to potential viewers of and from the project, and measures to avoid, minimize, or reduce the adverse impacts. back to top Wildlife - Discussion of wildlife and wildlife habitat impacts that are a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. Coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Service will continue throughout the process. There are many open space/park areas along the corridor. The Chatfield Basin Conservation Network has been developed to protect this land that is habitat for wildlife. Below is a discussion of their goals and a connection to their concept plan.
Chatfield Basin Conservation Network The Chatfield Basin is located in one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Despite the growth, there are still extensive undeveloped areas and opportunities that exist to protect connections between the parks and open spaces that are located within the area. The Chatfield Basin Conservation Network is a group of organizations, agencies and corporations that participate in the conservation of the Chatfield Basin and connections to other open spaces. Key goals of the network are to: Keep transportation corridors permeable and compatible with wildlife movement. Conserve a system of lands that provide connections between wildlife crossings and protected lands. Develop an interconnected recreational trail system throughout the basin. For more information on the Chatfield Basin Conservation Network: Chatfield Basin Conservation Network Concept Plan (PLEASE NOTE: The link to the Chatfield Basin Concept Plan displays a document which outlines a plan proposed by the Chatfield Basin Conservation Network. The plan is provided for information only. It has not been determined if the plan is relevant to our study or if will be included in the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS.)
	back to top Threatened and Endangered Species - Coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Division of Wildlife to determine the presence or absence of listed and proposed threatened or endangered species and designated and proposed critical habitat within the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS study area. A Biological Assessment will be prepared for the listed species located within the study area. The EIS will include a discussion of the species distribution, habitat needs, and other biological requirements that the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration may impact. The discussion includes possible impacts to the species and identification of measures to avoid or minimize adverse impacts. Coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife will continue throughout the process. back to top Noise - Description of noise sensitive areas (homes, businesses, parks, churches, etc.) and the extent of the impact as a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. This includes the location, length, and height of any noise abatement measures that are feasible. back to top Historical/Cultural - Identification of historic resources that are listed in or eligible for the National Register and are located within the study area. Impacts as a result of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration to any of the historic resources will be summarized, with a description of proposed mitigation measures. Coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) will continue throughout the study. back to top Archaeology - Identification, recording, and evaluation of historic and prehistoric sites within the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS project area. Impacts as a result of the EIS alternatives under consideration to any archaeological site will be summarized, with a description of proposed mitigation measures. Coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) will continue throughout the study. back to top Paleontology - Discussion of paleontological resources within the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS project area. A field survey and literature search will be completed to determine the presence of paleontological resources. Impacts as a result of the EIS alternatives under consideration will be summarized, with a description of proposed mitigation measures. Coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) will continue throughout the study. back to top Hazardous Materials/Waste - Studies will be conducted to determine if hazardous waste is present in the area of the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS. An Initial Site Assessment (ISA) has been prepared. If the hazardous waste sites identified in the ISA cannot be avoided by the alternatives under consideration then a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) will be initiated to determine the type and extent of the contamination. If contaminants are located on the property then a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) will be conducted. back to top Farmland - Identification of prime, unique, or statewide/local importance farmlands that will be impacted by the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration. A Farmland Conversion Impact Rating (Form AD 1006) will be processed if necessary. back to top Cumulative - Discussion of the combination of impacts resulting from the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS alternatives under consideration and impacts resulting from other projects within the project area. back to top Construction - Discussion of the potential adverse impacts (particularly air, noise, water, traffic congestion, detours, safety, visual, etc.) associated with construction of each alternative under consideration and the identification of appropriate mitigation measures. back to top