Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
C
ulturAl
r
esourCes
Surface disturbance is minimal during the site evaluation phase, and cultural
resources buried below the surface are unlikely to be affected. Cultural material
present on the surface could be disturbed by vehicular traffic, ground clearing, and
pedestrian activity (including collection of artifacts). Monitoring and testing activi-
ties could affect areas of interest to Native Americans depending on the physical
placement or level of visual intrusion. Surveys conducted during this phase to evalu-
ate the presence or significance of cultural resources in the area would assist devel-
opers in designing the project to avoid or minimize impacts on these resources.
e
CologiCAl
r
esourCes
Impacts on vegetation, wildlife habitat, and aquatic habitat would be minimal during
site monitoring and testing because of the limited nature of activities. The introduc-
tion and spread of invasive vegetation could occur as a result of vehicular traffic.
Surveys conducted during this phase to evaluate the presence and/or significance of
ecological resources in the area would assist developers in designing the project to
avoid or minimize impacts on these resources.
W
Ater
r
esourCes
There likely would have minimal impact on water resources, local water quality,
water flows, and surface water/groundwater interactions. Very little water would
likely be used during the site evaluation phase. Any water required could be trucked
in from offsite.
l
And
u
se
Monitoring and testing activities would likely result in temporary and localized
impacts on land use. These activities could create a temporary disturbance to wild-
life and cattle in the immediate vicinity of the monitoring/testing site while workers
are present; however, monitoring equipment is unlikely to change land-use patterns
over a longer period of time. Although a buffer area may be established around
equipment to protect the public, wildlife, and the equipment, access to the area for
continued recreational use would not be affected. There could be visual impacts,
though, from the presence of equipment and access roads, potentially impacting the
recreational experience. Monitoring and testing activities are unlikely to affect min-
ing activities, military operations, or aviation.
s
oils
And
g
eologiC
r
esourCes
Surface disturbance and use of geologic materials are minimal during the site evalu-
ation phase, and soils and geologic resources are unlikely to be affected. These activ-
ities would also be unlikely to activate geological hazards or increase soil erosion.
Borings for soil testing and geotechnical surveys provide useful site-specific data on
these resources. Surface effects from pedestrian and vehicular traffic could occur in
areas that contain special (e.g., cryptobiotic) soils.
