DTIC ADA516379: Termination of Lease and the Transfer of Property Back to the Landowner for the Matagorda, Texas Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) Site

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PLEASEDONOTRETURNYOUR FORMTOTHEABOVEORGANIZATION.
1. REPORTDATE(DD-MM-VYYY) 12. REPORTTYPE 3. DATESCOVERED(From-To)
15-03-2010 EnvironmentalAssessment 3February2009-30November2009
4. TITLEANDSUBTITLE Sa. CONTRACTNUMBER
EnvironmentalAssessmentforMatagorda,TexasTetheredAerostatRadarSystem FA489004DOO098
(TARS)Site,TerminationofLease
5b. GRANTNUMBER
N/A
5c. PROGRAMELEMENTNUMBER
N/A
6. AUTHOR(S) 5~ PROJECTNUMBER
EnvironmentalExpressServices,Inc. N/A
(JacquelineBaerwald;GloriaHagge)
5e. TASKNUMBER
TaskOrder5016
Sf. WORKUNITNUMBER
N/A
7. PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONNAME(S)ANDADDRESS(ES) 8.PERFORMINGORGANIZATION
EnvironmentalExpressServices,Inc. REPORTNUMBER
5944FM1863
Bulverde,TX 78163 N/A
9. SPONSORING/MONITORINGAGENCYNAME(S)ANDADDRESS(ES) 10.SPONSOR/MONITOR'SACRONYM(S)
Ms.ElvieR.Hoag
N/A
Chief,EnvironmentalBranch
HQACCAMTC/PCRV 11.SPONSOR/MONITOR'SREPORT
11817CanonBlvd,Suite306 NUMBER(S)
LangleyAFB,Virginia23606 N/A
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Unrestrictedpublicavailability
13.SUPPLEMENTARYNOTES
PreparedfortheU.S.AirForce,
14.ABSTRACT
FindingofNoSignificantImpact(FONSI)signedonMarch8,2010fortheEnvironmentalAssessment(EA)oftheproposedTerminationofLease
andtheTransferofPropertyBacktotheLandownerfortheMatagorda,TexasTetheredAerostatRadarSystem(TARS)Site
15.SUBJECTTERMS
environmentalassessment
16.SECURITYCLASSIFICATIONOF: 17.LIMITATIONOF 18.NUMBER 19a.NAMEOFRESPONSIBLEPERSON
a. REPORT b.ABSTRACT c.THISPAGE ABSTRACT OF JacquelineBaerwald
PAGES
Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified UU 358 19b.TELEPHONENUMBER(Includeareacode)
830-980-1830
StandardForm298(Rev.8/98)
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AdobeProfessional7.0
Final

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
for Termination of Lease and the Transfer of Property Back to the
Landowner for the
Matagorda, Texas Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) Site

January 2010
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................. vi

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) .............................................................................. 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. ES-1

1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED ..................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................... 1-2

1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION...................................... 1-9

1.4 ORGANIZATION OF THE DOCUMENT............................................................... 1-9

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ......................... 2-1

2.1 PROPOSED FEDERAL ACTION ............................................................................ 2-1

2.2 ALTERNATIVE A .................................................................................................... 2-1
2.2.1 Demolition Activities ....................................................................................... 2-1
2.2.2 Restoration Activities ....................................................................................... 2-2

2.3 ALTERNATIVE B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 2-3

2.4 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ............................................................................. 2-3

2.5 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................... 2-4

2.6 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES .................................................................... 2-5

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ............................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 LAND USE, VISUAL RESOURCES, AND RECREATION .................................. 3-1
3.1.1 Definition of the Resources ............................................................................. 3-1
3.1.2 Land Use .......................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.3 Visual Resources .............................................................................................. 3-1
3.1.4 Recreation ........................................................................................................ 3-1

3.2 SOCIOECONOMICS, DEMOGRAPHICS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE .......................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.1 Definition of the Resources ............................................................................. 3-1
3.2.2 Socioeconomics ............................................................................................... 3-1
January 2010 i
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

3.2.3 Demographics .................................................................................................. 3-2
3.2.4 Environmental Justice ...................................................................................... 3-2
3.2.5 Existing Conditions of Socioeconomics, Demographics, and
Environmental Justice Resources .................................................................... 3-2

3.3 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES .................................................... 3-4
3.3.1 Definition of the Resources ............................................................................. 3-4
3.3.2 Cultural and Historical Setting ......................................................................... 3-5
3.3.3 Existing Conditions of Cultural and Historic Resources ................................. 3-6

3.4 INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................................................ 3-6
3.4.1 Definition of the Resource ............................................................................... 3-6
3.4.2 Transportation .................................................................................................. 3-7
3.4.3 Utilities (Electricity, Water, Septic System, etc.) ............................................ 3-7

3.5 PHYSICAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................ 3-8
3.5.1 Definition of the Resource ............................................................................... 3-8
3.5.2 Geological Resources ....................................................................................... 3-9
3.5.3 Water Resources ............................................................................................ 3-10

3.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT ........................... 3-17
3.6.1 Definition of the Resource ............................................................................. 3-17
3.6.2 Hazardous Materials ...................................................................................... 3-18
3.6.3 Waste Management ........................................................................................ 3-23

3.7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................. 3-23
3.7.1 Definition of the Resource ............................................................................. 3-23
3.7.2 Terrestrial Communities and Wildlife ........................................................... 3-24
3.7.3 Wetlands and Floodplains .............................................................................. 3-24
3.7.4 Threatened and Endangered and Special Status Species ............................... 3-26

3.8 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................ 3-33
3.8.1 Definition of the Resource ............................................................................. 3-33
3.8.2 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 3-40

3.9 AIR SPACE ............................................................................................................. 3-40
3.9.1 Definition of the Resource ............................................................................. 3-40
3.9.2 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 3-40

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ....................................................................... 4-1

4.1 LAND USE, VISUAL RESOURCES, AND RECREATION .................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-1

January 2010 ii
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

4.2 SOCIOECONOMICS, DEMOGRAPHICS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE .......................................................................................................... 4-2
4.2.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-2
4.2.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-2
4.2.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-2

4.3 CULTURAL RESOURCES ...................................................................................... 4-2
4.3.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-2
4.3.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-2
4.3.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-3

4.4 INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................................................ 4-3
4.4.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-3
4.4.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-3
4.4.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-3

4.5 PHYSICAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................ 4-4
4.5.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-4
4.5.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-4
4.5.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-5

4.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT ............................. 4-5
4.6.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-5
4.6.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-5
4.6.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-6

4.7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................... 4-6
4.7.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-6
4.7.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-6
4.7.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-7

4.8 AIR QUALITY .......................................................................................................... 4-7
4.8.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-8
4.8.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-8
4.8.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-9

4.9 AIR SPACE ............................................................................................................... 4-9
4.9.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 4-9
4.9.2 Alternative A .................................................................................................... 4-9
4.9.3 Alternative B (No-Action Alternative) ............................................................ 4-9

5.0 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS AND IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE
COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES ................................................................................ 5-1

5.1 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ....................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Definition of Cumulative Effects ..................................................................... 5-1
January 2010 iii
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

5.1.2 Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions ........................................ 5-2
5.1.3 Cumulative Effects Analysis............................................................................ 5-2

5.2 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES .. 5-2

6.0 LIST OF PREPARERS ..................................................................................................... 6-1

7.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 7-1

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

Figure 1-1 Underside of the Aerostat Radar ............................................................................. 1-2
Figure 1-2 State of Texas, Matagorda TARS Site Location ..................................................... 1-3
Figure 1-3 Location of Matagorda TARS Site within Matagorda, Texas ................................ 1-5
Figure 1-4 Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) Site, Matagorda, Texas ......................... 1-7
Figure 3-1 Population of Matagorda County in Various Years ................................................ 3-3
Figure 3-2 Gulf Coast Aquifer at the Matagorda TARS Site ................................................. 3-11
Figure 3-3 Brazos-Colorado River Basin at the Matagorda TARS Site ................................. 3-13
Figure 3-4 Water Bodies near the Matagorda TARS Site ...................................................... 3-15
Figure 3-5 EPA Radon Zones of Texas .................................................................................. 3-21
Figure 3-6 Wetlands within the Vicinity of the Matagorda TARS Site ................................. 3-27
Figure 3-7 Floodplain Map of the Matagorda TARS Site ...................................................... 3-29
Figure 3-8 Map of Texas’ Nonattainment and Near Nonattainment Areas ............................ 3-37

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

Table 2-1 Permits and Actions Required for Demolition of the Matagorda TARS
Facility ...................................................................................................................... 2-4
Table 2-2 Comparison of Alternatives ...................................................................................... 2-5
Table 3-1 Employment by Industry in Matagorda County and the State of Texas .................. 3-3
Table 3-2 Race and Poverty Characteristics of Matagorda County and the State of Texas ..... 3-4
Table 3-3 Hazardous Materials Spills at the Matagorda TARS Site ...................................... 3-20
Table 3-4 Threatened and Endangered Species of Matagorda County, Texas ....................... 3-31
Table 3-5 De Minimis Levels for Texas’ Eight-Hour Ozone Nonattainment and
Maintenance Areas .................................................................................................. 3-34
Table 3-6 De Minimis Levels for Texas’ Carbon Monoxide Nonattainment Area ................ 3-34
Table 3-7 De Minimis Levels for Texas’ PM Nonattainment Area ..................................... 3-34
10
Table 3-8 Nonattainment and Ozone Early Action Compact Areas in Texas ........................ 3-35
Table 3-9 National Ambient Air Quality Standards ............................................................... 3-39
Table 4-1 Air Emissions for Implementation of Alternative A ................................................ 4-8

January 2010 iv
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

APPENDICES

Appendix A – Scoping Letters
Appendix B – Site Photographs
Appendix C – Hazardous Materials Inventory
Appendix D – Lead Based Paint Report from Another Project
Appendix E – EDR Radius Map Report
Appendix F – Site Inspection Documents
Appendix G – Threatened and Endangered Species
Appendix H – Additional Resources
Appendix I – Review Comment Matrix
Appendix J – Air Emission Calculations

January 2010 v
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACAM Air Conformity Applicability Model

ACM Asbestos-Containing Material

AEP American Electric Power

AFI Air Force Instruction

AFPD Air Force Policy Directive

AST Above-ground Storage Tank

CAA Clean Air Act

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CONR Continental North American Aerospace Defense Command Region

CWA Clean Water Act

DoD Department of Defense

EA Environmental Assessment

EAC Early Action Compact

EDR Environmental Data Resources

EIAP Environmental Impact Analysis Process

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EO Executive Order

EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

ERP Environmental Restoration Program

ESA Endangered Species Act
January 2010 vi
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact

gpm Gallons per Minute

HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

LBP Lead Based Paint

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

mg/L Milligrams per Liter

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NCSS National Cooperative Soil Survey

NDD Natural Diversity Database

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NOTAM Notice to Airmen

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

NWI National Wetlands Inventory

NWR National Wildlife Refuge

OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl

PCi/L Picocuries per Liter

January 2010 vii
Final Environmental Assessment, TARS Site, Matagorda, Texas

PEM1C Palustrine, Emergency, Persistent, Seasonally Flooded wetland

PEMf Palustrine, Emergent, Farmed wetland

PF01A Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved, Temporarily Flooded wetland

POL Petroleum, Oil, and Lubrication

PUBFx Palustrine, Unconsolidated Bottom, Semi-Permanently Flooded,
Excavated wetland

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

SIP State Implementation Plan

SSC Species of Special Concern

TARS Tethered Aerostat Radar System

TCEQ Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

TDLR Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

THC Texas Historical Commission

TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Tpy Tons Per Year

TSHA Texas State Historical Association

TWDB Texas Water Development Board

US United States

USAF United States Air Force

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

UST Underground Storage Tank
January 2010 viii