3.0 Analysis of Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action and Reasonable
Alternatives
3.1 Structures
Constructing picnic tables, shelters, and barbeque grills might cause short-term
environmental impacts. These impacts, many of which we have addressed in previous sections,
include impacts on the wildlife and native vegetation. However, the noise from the construction
should be very short-lived and minimal because of the small number of structures we propose.
The picnic tables, pavilions, and grills will all have very comparable impacts on the
environment. These impacts are due to the initial construction of the structures and will not have
significant lasting effects. The habitat will adjust to the small, newly constructed structures just
as it does to new playgrounds and homes in the neighborhood.
The one, foreseeable, lasting effect is the continued presence of visitors in the
neighborhood. In a study done by _____ in Tel Aviv, soil samples from areas unaffected by
visitors were of better quality than ones affected by visitor trampling (SOURCE 2). We plan to
mitigate this possible negative effect by constructing small stone pathways for visitors to step on
to maintain the quality of the soil in the open space. This would maintain the soil density and
leaf litter biomass would both remain untouched (SOURCE 3). One arguably negative impact of
this solution is that concrete, one of the world’s most common human-made resources, has a
negative impact on the environment when created (Ecosmartconcrete.com). We plan to mitigate
this effect by purchasing concrete from a sustainable producer and only using minimal amounts.
For example, we plan to have concrete stepping blocks rather than a full concrete pathway.
Further, the ultimate goal of reconstructing a healthy community through relationships
outweighs the very insignificant effects to the environment in this situation.
Minor repairs over the years may result in some of these disturbances being repeated in
the future, such as noise and minor vegetation damage. For example, if the community needs to
repair a picnic table in 15 years, mechanics might trample plants, or disrupt the human and
animal communities with sound. To mitigate this, we propose installing no more structures than
the neighborhood absolutely needs. This way installing structures will result in minimal
disturbances.
3.2 Road Closure
As explained in section 1.2, it is necessary to close the unofficial road in parcel 6 that
leads into the alleyway. This section analysis the environmental impacts of putting up a road
barrier and the type of barrier we propose to use.
3.2.1 Potential Impacts
A potential impact of a road closure could be air quality issues. The closing of a major
road can cause a concentration of pollution in other areas, (Jonathan et al. 2006). New
concentrations of air pollution would not be a significant impact in the PVOS road, because the
road is unpaved and not used heavily. Another impact of closing the road deals with wildlife
movement through the area. Road closures, especially large fences, can act as barriers to
animals, (Jaeger & Fahrig, 2004). This impact will not occur in PVOS. The barrier we use will
not allowing cars to pass through, but will be small enough that wildlife can still move in and out
of the PVO
3.2.2 Proposed Closure Method
To properly close the road, we barricade is so that
cars cannot access the road. Using brick instead of a large
fence gives us the option to make a shorter barricade. The
barricade would only blocks cars, not wildlife or the
natural ascetics. Integrity blocks are a good alternative to
conventional cement bricks. They are made from 50% preconsumer recycled content, making them a greener
alternative. (Integrity Blocks) These bricks are made using
no artificial pigments which gives them a natural
appearance (ArchiThings). This natural appearance would
keep the natural and simple ascetic of the PVOS.
Figure 3.2.1 Integrity Block, Ecofriendly bricks. (Integrity Blocks)
3.3 Tunnel
The proposed tunnel and pedestrian crossing would have some effects on the
environment resulting from the initial construction (Tbilisi, 2007). The first of these disturbances
would be the visual intrusion temporally being caused by the construction site crew and their
equipment. The construction would also causes temporary impacts such as an increase in dust
particles in the air, as well as a slight increase in emissions. It can also cause temporary
disturbance in the flora and fauna of the area as a result of the soil disturbance, or spills and leaks
of fuel and other chemicals (Tbilisi, 2007).
Digging the tunnel can cause soil disturbances, by the changing the degree of stress in
the soil and the strain caused by the movement of the soil (Xu et al, 2003). There is a possibility
that the construction of a tunnel can causes the natural regime of water to change (Milanovi,
1990). As far as the pedestrian crossing is concerned it would have a very minimal
environmental impact, as it requires very minimal construction.
3.4.0 Native Vegetation
Planting native vegetation to beautify and improve the PVOS site community, hydrology,
wildlife, and maintenance.
3.4.1 Environmental impacts of proposed action
Native vegetation improves ecological health (Ojo et al, 2006). Planting native vegetation
will help the natural hydrology of PVOS, as well as native wildlife (Gordon, 1998). Native
vegetation is part of the natural community of PVOS and non native vegetation over growth
causes higher maintenance. Maintenance of non native vegetation includes water and controlling
overgrowth. Non native invasion at PVOS can reduce ecological health (Richards, et al. 1998).
3.4.2 Environmental impacts of reasonable alternatives
An alternative to planting native vegetation, the no action alternative, includes keeping
PVOS as it is with noxious (non-native) plant species such as Kochia (Figure 2.2.3). These
noxious species cause environmental degradation. Non native plants have been shows to increase
in areas of high disturbance, such as PVOS (Alpert et al. 2000). High numbers of these non
native plants can result in higher maintenance fees (
). Non native plants can reduce the
amount of surface water flow; creating difficulty for native plants to get established (Gordon,
1998). Surface water flow is important for native plant species which support Colorado wildlife.
Along with this is the alternative to not beautify the site. As the U.S. E.P.A. points out, without
beautification dumping could increase, having a negative affect on the ecology of the area as
well as the human health and welfare, even decreasing property values (US EPA, 1998).
Although in some cases ,environmental disturbance and invasive species have proven to increase
biodiversity and species-richness; It is vital to conserve the small patches of native grassland
prairie that we have left in Colorado (Crist, Wilmer, and Aplet, 2005). Without turning PVOS
back in to a more native state, we could be loosing a chance to conserve what little prairie we
have.
3.5.0 Trails and hardscape
The construction of trails at PVOS is an important part of the beautification plan.
Although there is a potential of pollution during this process, it will only be miniscule when
compared to the whole process. While building the trails at PVOS, contractors must keep in
mind the health of the environment. Keeping as much vegetation in tact and using biodegradable
hydraulic oil helps reduce the pollution that will come from construction (Sustainable Build,
2010; Morledge & Jackson, 2001). While keeping in the potential for pollution, trail construction
is essential to the proposed plan of PVOS because it will provide the community access to the
outdoors. In addition, trails will promote a healthy, active lifestyle by providing visitors
somewhere to run, bike, walk, or simply take in the natural landscape (Little, 1990 and Smith
and Hellmund, 1993). Although there is a potential of pollution from trail construction at PVOS,
it is still important to consider because of the positive lifestyle habits that are connected with
outdoor trails.
Along with trail construction, various hardscape elements will be created to beautify and
attract community members to the site. Open spaces provide an opportunity for recreation,
social interaction and community action and have a positive influence on health and wellbeing
(Morris, 2003). The construction of hardscape features includes pads for picnic areas, decorative
boulders and natural benches and will require large equipment for construction. This equipment
potentially effects soil quality through leaked or spilled fuel and air quality through vehicle
emissions (Zhen, 2003). The exact amount of contamination on air and soil is difficult to
measure but would be linked with the amount of construction completed. For the amount of
construction intended in the PVOS plan, impacts on the environment must be considered.
However these impacts must be weighed against the benefits that will result from completion of
the project. Hardscape features will attract residents to the open space and encourage use of the
space and provide social, environmental and economic benefits (Morris, 2003).
3.7 Trash Removal
3.7.1 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative
Neglected open lots in the urban setting tend to host criminal behavior, accumulate trash,
create various health risks and epitomize the frustration and despair nearby residents often feel.
(Shukoske) These lots can often be cleaned up and reused however if they stay neglected they
can become what are known as TOADS or temporarily obsolete abandoned derelict sites which
play host to illegal dumping, fires, and criminal activity. TOADS are an eyesore and provide
clear signs of neighborhood decline and decay reducing the quality of the landscape and
lowering property values (Greenberg, et. Al). As previously explained, the waste present on the
Oletski property has the potential to pollute the surrounding environment and encourage
continued illegal dumping, further threatening human and environmental health in the valley. In
order to re-develop the space, the contents must be removed and disposed of properly. Under the
no-action alternative there will be no change in the visual and scenic character of the site and the
potential for continued illegal dumping would remain, further degrading the aesthetic value of
the PVOS. The no-action alternative would not allow for the improvement of the environmental
condition of the valley in effect, hindering the development of the PVOS plan.
3.7.2 Impacts of the Proposed Action
In response to a similar action proposal made in the Spokane Resource Management
Plan, a Categorical Exclusion document was issued to allow for solid waste materials to be
loaded for removal into dump trucks using a backhoe and large equipment trailer. Items marked
for removal included railroad ties, timbers, fencing, barbed wire, discarded metal, and
miscellaneous solid waste materials from an old farming site. (BLM Office, Spokane District)
The CATX was considered appropriate in this situation because the proposed action met all
NEPA requirements and because there were no extraordinary circumstances that would
potentially have effects that might significantly affect the environment. The removal of the solid
waste items from the PVOS land and subsequent change in land use would provide long term
benefits to residents and users of the space and nearby parks. The proposed action will remove
the potential for further air and water pollution as well as improve the aesthetic value and
integrity of the landscape. It will discourage illegal dumping and allow for redevelopment of the
land into open space. The proposed action is a vital step in implementing the PVOS plan and
revitalizing the valley, making it a cleaner, safer place for members of the community to enjoy.
References
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Greenberg, M., Schneider, D., Lowrie , K., & Dey, A. (2008). The
Theory of neighbourhood decline due to pariah land uses:
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