Environmental Impact Assessment Of Interstate 77 Toll Lanes Project In Charlotte, North Carolina

Overview of the highway project

This report aims to develop an appropriate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which can be presented against a highway project in Charlotte, North Carolina. EIA has been interpreted as an activity, which is designed to forecast the influence of any programs and operational procedures on nature. According to RE (1975), EIA can be identified as a significant procedure that determines the environmental consequences of a proposed initiative. In this report, the same approach has been taken, which helped the learner to identify potential impacts of ongoing projects in Charlotte, USA. This entire report follows the basic structure of EIA, which has been considered from the work of Noble & Press (2011).

The project, which is considered in this report is Interstate 77 toll lanes (I-77), which started from Lake Norman to Charlotte in the year of 2015 and expected to finish by 2018. It is observed that this project looks after in developing more 26 miles of managed lanes along with I-77 and I-277 by connecting Mecklenburg and Iredell. Besides this, it is also addressed that this project is aimed to develop two 17.1 miles of hot lanes, which will be opened for both directions (Marusak, 2018). It is the Public-Private Partnership (P3) project, and the officials have claimed that this project will improve the mobility and reliability of travel time through the I-77 corridor to the North direction of Charlotte. The following table highlights some additional description of this project, which is essential to state before the EIA of this project.

Funding Sources	· $100 million from Senior PABs · $3.6 million by Bond premium Save Time On Research and Writing Hire a Pro to Write You a 100% Plagiarism-Free Paper. Get My Paper · $94.7 million grant from Public funds · $189 million achieved from TIFIA loan
Project delivery method	Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain
Project participants	The Louis Berger Group, W.C. English, F.A. Southeast, and Cintra Infrastructures, S.A

Table 1: Overview of the highway project

(Source: Transportation.gov, 2018

Nevertheless, some issues have been observed during the development of the plan, which has allowed the learner to undertake an EIA. It is noted that drivers are angry with this project as late night and early morning construction process, creates huge traffic congestion in this area. Therefore, lack of backups has created human issues regarding this project. Although, some crucial influences of this highway project, went unnoticed. As identified by Noble & Press (2011) construction projects influence environmental surroundings of project sites effectively. Focusing on this interpretation, this report is aimed to determine the influences of the I-77 highway project on the environment of surroundings. Also, developing possible ideas for eliminating the environmental risk factors are also another aim of this project.

 The EIA project conducted by the learner is essential in identifying the current environmental problems that are getting raised in the I-77 project location. The primary reason behind crafting this project is to protect the ecology of the area, where this highway project is developing. It is identified that air pollution and other pollutions such as noise pollution, pollution caused by transports, Ozone pollution are influencing the ecological system of the city of Charlotte. For this reason, the learner has undertaken the current project, which has the following objectives:

• Identification of environmental problems in the Charlotte area
• Interpretation of the potential impacts of the I-77 project
• Identification of impact management and mitigation strategies
• Recommendations for the ongoing project

It can be said that this EIA project will become beneficial from multiple perspectives. These include:

1. Identification of potential hazards, which can be generated from a highway project
2. Possible steps that are to be taken to nullify the issues of a highway project

 To identify, whether this project is subject to an EIA, various regulations have been reviewed by focusing on The National Environmental Policy Act 1969 (NEPA). The Clean Air Act 1970 reflects on limiting air emissions and setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). According to section 112 of this act, any project or program should look after reducing the maximum level of hazardous air pollutants from the site location. According to the Air Quality Index in this area, a moderate score of 55 has been identified (Airnow.gov, 2018). This is a clear indication that the highway project should consider some steps to reduce the air pollution level of this area. A recent report has highlighted that Ozone pollution of Charlotte is getting increased as this city received an ‘F’ for ozone pollution, which is a clear indication of the health risk of living things nearby this city (Wsoctv.com, 2018).

Rationale for the current project

Besides the air pollution level in the Charlotte area, noise pollution level should also be considered as noise pollution influences the well-being of animals significantly. According to the legislation order number 844 of Code City of Charlotte, North Carolina (1997), it is unlawful to operate amplified sound of more than 55 dB between 9 AM to 9 PM (Section 15 (a) (i)) (Nonoise.org, 2018). Also, section 15-71 of this legislation highlights that it is unlawful to use high amplified noise in areas where animals live (Epa.gov, 2018). Therefore, animals in the zoo of Charlotte and pets might have been affected due to the construction process of the highway.

From the above interpretation, it is justified that the I-77 project near the city of Charlotte, is subjected to an EIA. Therefore, this EIA project has been developed by focusing on the scoping and baseline assessment activities.

Scoping has been identified as a crucial process to identify the key issues, which should be considered in the evaluation (Onat, Kucukvar & Tatari, 2014). In this context, it is essential to conduct a baseline assessment of current conditions and trends in the existing project.

This EIA project will be crucial as it will have a massive impact on the environment as EIA of I-77 highway, which is situated near Charlotte.

It is identified that Cecil soils are present in the North Carolina region. Cecil soils covered approximately 1.6 million acres in this state. Besides this, earthquake has been observed as a significant hazard in this area. It is noted that almost 99% chance of shock has been identified. Furthermore, 15700 known faults have been observed in this area that causes massive earthquakes (Illionis.edu, 2018).

Multiple water resources are available in the state of Carolina. These include:

• Carolina Dams Database
• Gazetteer of Surface Waters of Carolina

Besides these, there are different types of water filtration facilities are available in the city of Charlotte, which will be considered for the development of the EIA procedure.

The state of Carolina has a tremendous ecological system with a variety of plants included eucalyptus, acacia, Contra Costa. However, critics have identified Contra Costa as the endangered species in this area. Besides this, different type of mammals also evidenced near the city of Charlotte. Examples can be drawn from chipmunk, Sierra Chicakree, blue-footed jay, bighorn sheep and much more. According to Brandt, Bernhardt, Dwyer & Di Giulio (2017), aquatic life of North Carolina is also very crucial for maintaining the environmental equilibrium. Therefore, the availability of a wide range of trout fishes has created a well-developed ecological system in this area.  

Various numbers of endangered species have been observed in the Charlotte city, North Carolina. It is noted that the Government, has taken massive initiatives to protect the following species:

• Florida Scrub-Jay
• Wading bird species
• Sea turtles
• Eastern indigo snakes
• Gopher tortoise (Charlotte Country Florida, 2018)

These protected species possess a massive significance in the ecology of this city. It is observed that Florida scrub-jay breeds in a pair and has now become an endangered species due to rapid industrialization taking place (Birdsna.org, 2018). The same is also applicable for other species listed in this segment. Hence, it is the responsibility of citizens to protect these species for maintaining equilibrium in the ecosystem. As identified by Gascon et al. (2015) exclusion of any endangered species posit a massive impact on the food chain. Hence, it can be interpreted that conservation of such species is highly required in the project site.

Screening of the project

In this segment, the average temperature of Charlotte has been given. This will allow the learner to understand the climate of the project site. It is identified that climate change in any area imposes a massive impact on the lifestyle of living things. Hence, the I-77 project in Charlotte might influence the climate, which should be reviewed by the team. The average maximum and minimum temperature of Charlotte are given below:

Month	The average high in °F	The average low in °F
January	51	30
February	55	33
March	63	39
April	72	47
May	79	56
June	86	65
July	89	68
August	87	67
September	81	60
October	72	49
November	62	39
December	53	52

Table 2: Maximum and Minimum average temperature in Charlotte

(Source: Usclimatedata.com, 2018)

 Besides this, humidity also plays an essential factor in maintaining the environment of Charlotte. It is identified that humidity level remains high at 7:00 AM (89.4%) and remains low at 4:00 PM (54.8%). Also, an average of 73% of humidity can be found in this city. Hence, increasing air, water, and noise pollution in the project area will influence the humidity level, significantly.

Following laws are developed to protect natural resources and animals in Charlotte city. These are:

• Clean Water Act
• Clean Air Act
• Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act
• Endangered Species Act

Finally, it is essential to state that this scoping and baseline assessment is done through secondary research. The primary reason behind the secondary analysis is to demonstrate the EIA, appropriately. According to Quinlan, Babin, Carr & Griffin (2018), secondary research is essential as no issue of bias can be found in secondary sources. The learner has taken data from authentic sources, which helped to develop the baseline assessment and scoping properly.

Although, the I-77 project is spread into a wide area from Lake Norman to Charlotte. Hence, it is impossible for the learner to conduct the EIA of the entire highway. Therefore, this project will focus on the northern part of Charlotte. The principle behind setting boundaries is to narrow down the focus, which will help to develop a better EIA. Parameters of limitations are:

Spatial boundaries	This EIA is entirely done near the northern side of Charlotte, North Carolina. No environmental factors are considered behind this area
Temporal boundaries	This entire EIA is done within a time span of four weeks. No data is collected before and after this period
Jurisdictional boundaries	The learner has followed the laws of Charlotte city and regulations of other states are not considered in this EIA

Table 3: Parameters of limits

(Source: Self-developed)

Timeline for the EIA

Focusing on the factors, it can be said that that the I-77 project, which is supposed to be finished in 2018, influenced the environment of this city. As identified by Viadero & Fortney (2015), a highway project in a sensitive ecological area needs proper EIA, as, without an appropriate assessment, a habitat of that area might elope, which scholars have addressed, will not be beneficial for humanity. Hence, this stated project has the following potential impacts on the environment of Charlotte city, North Carolina.

Project Activities	Potential impacts that need to be assessed
Construction phase	· Destruction of vegetation near the Charlotte · Reduction of wildlife habitat and threat for endangered species like Indigo snake and much more
Operation phase	· Disruption of wildlife migration · Due to heavy noise, animal behavior might be changed. · Tremendous traffic activity might kill living animals in unprotected places

Table 4: Impact assessment of the I-77 highway project

In this segment mitigation, strategies for habitats are discussed. It is observed that the project stakeholders should focus on the following procedure, which might play a significant role in conserving species in the Charlotte area.

Species	Mitigation strategies
Bats	No bat roots are identified during the project site examination. However, the lighting strategy can be proposed by the authority to fulfill the requirements of a dark sky. It is found that due to clearance of woods and plants, bats might face problems while surviving. Besides this, landscape strategies can be developed by the authority, which might help to save bats by creating a structure or trap for bats
Reptiles	It is identified that Indigo snake is one of the endangered species in this area.  For this reason, it is important to clear these snakes under a thorough ecological brief. This strategy will help to save this species and humans also
Birds	It is essential to develop a better plan for birds as Florida Scrub-Jay is an endangered species found in this area. Therefore, these birds should be removed with the help of the Bird rescue team of this area.
Plants	No mitigation strategy is proposed for plants.

Table 5: Mitigation strategies for endangered species in Charlotte

After reviewing the site, some adverse ecological aspects have been identified. Those potential adverse ecological impacts have been discussed. It is identified that destruction of vegetation is the potential impact of the project near the Charlotte city. Besides this, some other potential ecological feature have also been observed in this report.

Important ecological feature	Potential impact	Significance (In absence of mitigation)
Bats	This might develop restrain in progressing this project. In addition, this species will also be at risk during the highway project	Highly significant. This species maintain environmental balance in this area
Indigo Snake	This is termed as an endangered species by the Federal Government. Therefore, it is important to reserve this species	Significant, absence of Indigo Snake might affect the environment directly
Vegetation	I-77 project might have destructed the vegetation near the Chalotte area.	Vegetation is important for animals to survive. Absence of vegetation might put the entire ecology at risk

Table 6: Adverse ecological impacts

Identifying the above discussion on the above statement, following EIS has been developed for this project:

“The Project stakeholders should focus on the vegetation, birds and other endangered species before initiating the Toll Lanes project. Hence, an extensive ecological assessment is recommended.”

After demonstrating an EIA in the Charlotte area, it can be said that the project should not proceed further, without a further environmental discussion with professionals. It is identified that I-77 project is getting developed for the betterment of the public transport. Although, it is also identified that this project has started to influence the ecological aspects of this selected site. Hence, it is recommended that a 20Km buffer area should be developed by the project stakeholders to preserve endangered species and vegetation of this area. In addition, recommendation for developing a lighting strategy with the help of experts can also be considered in this project. This strategy will help to protect Bats. Besides this, the project officials may also mitigate those endangered species to protect the environment significantly.

Despite such developed EIA, it can be said that this research is developed only Northern direction of Charlotte, North Carolina. Therefore, it is recommended that other ecological sensitive areas, associated with this project should also be reviewed critically. In this regard, it is important to follow up this assessment through primary research also. It will help learners to determine the differences between two major approaches.

Reference List

Airnow.gov (2018). AQI status of Charlotte. Retrieved from https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=110

Birdsna.org (2018). Florida Scrub-Jay. Retrieved from https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/flsjay/introduction

Brandt, J. E., Bernhardt, E. S., Dwyer, G. S., & Di Giulio, R. T. (2017). Selenium ecotoxicology in freshwater lakes receiving coal combustion residual effluents: A North Carolina example. Environmental science & technology, 51(4), 2418-2426.

Charlotte Country Florida (2018). Endangered Species. Retrieved from https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/services/naturalresources/Pages/Protected-Species.aspx

Epa.gov. (2018). Summary of the Clean Air Act. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act

Gascon, C., Brooks, T. M., Contreras-MacBeath, T., Heard, N., Konstant, W., Lamoreux, J., … & Al Mubarak, R. K. (2015). The importance and benefits of species. Current Biology, 25(10), R431-R438.

Illionis.edu (2018). Cecil-North Carolina State Soil. Retrieved from https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/st_soils/nc_soil.htm

Marusak, J. (2018). These Charlotte road projects will finally be done in 2018. The Charlotte Observer. [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article192720134.html

Noble, B. F., & Press, D. (2011). Introduction to environmental impact assessment. The Canadian Geographer/Le Géographe canadien, 56(1), 142-153.

Nonoise.org (2018). Article three-Noise. Retrieved from https://www.nonoise.org/lawlib/cities/charlott.htm

Onat, N. C., Kucukvar, M., & Tatari, O. (2014). Scope-based carbon footprint analysis of US residential and commercial buildings: An input–output hybrid life cycle assessment approach. Building and Environment, 72, 53-62.

Quinlan, C., Babin, B., Carr, J., & Griffin, M. (2018). Business research methods. South Western Cengage.

RE, M. (1975). Environmental Impact Assessment-Principles and Procedures. London: John Wiley and Sons.

Transportation.gov (2018). I-77 Hot lanes project. Retrieved from https://www.transportation.gov/tifia/financed-projects/i-77-hot-lanes-project

Usclimatedata.com (2018). Climate Charlotte-North Carolina. Retrieved from https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/charlotte/north-carolina/united-states/usnc0121

Viadero Jr, R. C., & Fortney, R. H. (2015). Water-Quality Assessment and Environmental Impact Minimization for Highway Construction in a Miningimpacted Watershed: The Beaver Creek Drainage. Southeastern Naturalist, 14(sp7), 112-120.

Wsoctv.com (2018). New air quality report gives Charlotte ‘F’ for ozone pollution. Retrieved from https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/new-air-quality-report-finds-charlottes-ozone-pollution-worsened/734000637