Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
produce visible activity and dust in dry soils. Suspension and visibility of
dust would be influenced by vehicle speeds and road surface materials.
•
There would be a temporary presence of large equipment producing emis-
sions while in operation and creating visible exhaust plumes. Support facili-
ties and fencing associated with the construction work would also be visible.
•
Night lighting would change the nature of the visual environment in the
vici n it y.
Socioeconomics
Direct impacts would include the creation of new jobs for construction workers and
the associated income and taxes generated by the biomass facility. Indirect impacts
would occur as a result of the new economic development and would include new
jobs at businesses that support the expanded workforce or provide project materi-
als, and associated income and taxes. Proximity to biomass facilities could poten-
tially affect property values, either positively from increased employment effects or
negatively from proximity to residences or local businesses and any associated or
perceived environmental effect (noise, visual, etc.). Adverse impacts could occur if
a large in-migrant workforce, culturally different for the local indigenous group, is
brought in during construction. This influx of migrant workers could strain the exist-
ing community infrastructure and social services.
Environmental Justice
If significant impacts occurred in any resource areas, and these impacts dispropor-
tionately affected minority or low-income populations, then there could be an envi-
ronmental justice impact. Issues of potential concern during construction are noise,
dust, and visual impacts from the construction site and possible impacts associated
with the construction of new access roads. Additional impacts include limitations on
access to the area for recreation, subsistence, and traditional activities.
B
iomass
F
eedstock
p
roduction
i
mpacts
The impacts of biomass production are essentially the same as those of farming and
forestry. The biomass production phase can be broken down into feedstock production
and feedstock logistics. Feedstock production is the cultivation of crops such as corn,
soybeans, or grasses and the collection of crop residues and wood residues from for-
ests. These can be further categorized as primary, secondary, and tertiary resources:
•
Primary feedstock includes grain and oilseed crops, such as corn or soy-
beans, that are grown specifically to make biofuels; crop residues such as
corn stover and straw; perennial grasses and woody crops; algae; logging
residue; and excess biomass from forests.
•
Secondary feedstock consists of manure from farm animals, food residue,
wood processing mill residue, and pulping liquors.
•
Tertiary feedstock includes municipal solid waste, municipal sanitary
waste sludge, landfill gases, urban wood waste, construction and demoli-
tion debris, and packaging waste.
