Environmental Assessment Form
ENCLOSURE C
Description of Aquatic Habitat
S.R. 1041, Section 000
Washington County
South Strabane Township
North Strabane Township
Chartiers Township
Environmental Assessment Form
Enclosure C - Description of Aquatic Habitat
S.R. 1041, Section 000
A.
Aquatic Habitats
1.
Food Chain Production:
In general, the following process is considered the food chain production
in an aquatic environment: Primary producers (e.g. microscopic plants
and algae, zooplankton, etc.) capture sunlight and, through the process of
photosynthesis, produce oxygen for oxygen-requiring aquatic biota.
Consumers (e.g. frogs, fish, etc.) consume the primary producers and
oxygen to obtain energy. Other consumers (e.g. man, snakes, etc.) in turn
eat the consumers of the primary producers. Decomposers (e.g. aquatic
bacteria, fungi, etc.) decompose dead plants and animals and return
essential nutrients (e.g. nitrate, phosphate, etc.) back to the primary
producers for consumption. Simultaneously, respiration of producers,
consumers and decomposers results in the production of carbon dioxide in
the water column. Finally, respired carbon dioxide, together with the other
essential nutrients (e.g. nitrate, phosphate, etc.) released by the
decomposition of dead biota, regulates primary productivity. The aquatic
environment within the project area, in general, follows this food chain
production system.
2.
General Habitat:
a.
Nesting: Chartiers Creek consists of several pool and riffle areas.
A general calm flow, pool area is present under the proposed bridge
replacement. Nesting in these areas is not likely. The structure will
be only widened and not shifted. Some nesting may or may not take
place in this area. Due to the minimal size of the stream, limited
conditions exist for nesting. Some nesting of terrestrial species
exists within the small wetland in the project area where a
DeMinimus impact will occur.
b.
Spawning: Consistent with statement (2a), spawning in the general
area is not likely and has not been documented during any field
visits to the site. Chartiers Creek and the unnamed tributary are not
stocked trout streams. Limited spawning would occur in the wetland.
c.
Rearing: Consistent with the previous two statements, rearing in
the general area is not likely and has not been documented during
any field visits to the site. Some rearing of terrestrial species exists
within the wetland area, but is limited due to the small size.
d.
Resting: Because the section of stream under the bridge is a pool
area, some resting of the aquatic habitat may take place. This area
will not be disturbed. Resting in the unnamed tributary is unlikely.
Some resting of terrestrial species exists within the wetland.
Additional shading will occur.
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Environmental Assessment Form
Enclosure C - Description of Aquatic Habitat
S.R. 1041, Section 000
3.
e.
Migration: Migration within the proposed project area by either
aquatic or terrestrial habitat most likely exists to some extent. The
small wetland could serve as protective pathways for animals such
as birds, deer and small mammals to migrate between the upland
habitat and the stream habitat. This is most likely minimal due to
the limited size of the wetland area. The wetland is hydrologically
connected to other wetlands that will be avoided during
construction activities.
f.
Feeding: Limited feeding for aquatic organisms may take place in
the permit areas. This activity may be limited due to the close
proximity of the stream and wetland to the roadway.
g.
Escape Cover: Some escape cover exists in the general area of
the project. Overhanging vegetation, trees and rocks and undercut
banks provide escape cover for the local aquatic habitat. Escape
cover areas within the wetlands located within the project area
consist of undergrowth of several herbaceous plant species, sparse
tree species present, and buttressed root systems.
h.
Other: No other aquatic or terrestrial habitats were identified at the
proposed project area.
Habitat for threatened and endangered plant and animal species:
Because of the limited scope on the proposed project and the minimal
amount of right-of-way required, it is anticipated that no endangered plant
or animal exists within the project area. A Pennsylvania Natural Diversity
Inventory (PNDI) form was sent to the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) and no hits were indicated.
PNDIs were also sent to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) to verify that no threatened and endangered
species exists within the project area.
4.
B.
Environmental Study Areas:
a.
Sanctuaries: N/A
b.
Refuges: N/A
Water Quantity and Streamflow
1.
Natural drainage patterns: Chartiers Creek, a perennial stream, flows in
a generally south to southwest direction. Within the project area, the
creek would be classified as straight. The overall pattern of the stream
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Environmental Assessment Form
Enclosure C - Description of Aquatic Habitat
S.R. 1041, Section 000
can be described as sinuous. The stream outlets into the Ohio River miles
from the bridge.
The unnamed intermittent tributary flows into Chartiers Creek. The
unnamed tributary travels under S.R. 1041.
C.
2.
Flushing Characteristics: Chartiers Creek is a flowing perennial stream
with surrounding development and rolling hills. Alluvial soils and urban
surfaces exist in these areas. There are no distinguishing flushing
characteristics associated with the stream within the project area. A ten
year storm will reach the bottom flange of the bridge. It should be noted
that the stream has topped its banks several times in the past year and
therefore has been flushed recently.
3.
Current Patterns: The current flow patterns of Chartiers Creek are in a
south to southwest direction and no evidence exists that would suggest
current pattern changes. Overall, the stream within the project area can
be described as linear, channelized, and somewhat narrow (20'), with a
medium gradient possessing average habitat diversity.
4.
Groundwater discharge for baseflow: It is assumed that some
groundwater discharge naturally occurs in Chartiers Creek and the
unnamed tributary.
5.
Natural recharge area for ground and surface waters: Minor seeps or
springs exist within the proposed project area. One of these springs outlet
into the wetland area.
6.
Storm and floodwater storage and control: In the area of the proposed
project, Chartiers Creek may be prone to some flooding. The floodplain
areas surrounding the bridge provide some storage and control for flood
waters. The replacement wetlands will also provide equal floodwater
storage.
Water Quality
1.
Preventing pollution: No pollution prevention devices are located within
the proposed project area.
2.
Sedimentation control and patterns: Vegetation and naturally occurring
rock deposits aid in sedimentation control. An Erosion and Sedimentation
(E&S) Control Plan will be developed for the proposed project. The Local
County Conservation District (CCD) will review the plan and grant
approval.
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Environmental Assessment Form
Enclosure C - Description of Aquatic Habitat
S.R. 1041, Section 000
D.
3.
Salinity distribution: Charteiers Creek is assumed to be classified as a
fresh water stream with a warm water fishery classification. Brackish
water is not associated with the stream.
4.
Natural water filtration: Several wetland areas are parallel to S.R. 1041,
but remain outside of the cut and fill limits. They provide some water
filtration for the unnamed tributary and Chartiers Creek. Surface runoff
from S.R. 1041 also outlets into the wetland system.
Recreation
E.
1.
Game species: N/A
2.
Non-game species: N/A
3.
Fishing: N/A
4.
Hiking: N/A
5.
Observation (plant/wildlife): N/A
6.
Other: N/A
Upstream and Downstream Properties
Chartiers Creek flows in a north to northwest direction. The waterway originates
from several named and unnamed tributaries several miles south of the bridge
replacement project. The stream outlets into the Ohio River. Development in the
immediate area both upstream and downstream is a mix of urban and
undeveloped land.
F.
Other Environmental Factors: N/A
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