Disclaimer

The below listed documents may not be readable via Optical Character Recognition. To receive public notices via email for the Huntington District Regulatory Division please send an email to LRH.Permits@usace.army.mil indicating that you would like to be placed on the public notice electronic distribution list. Your email should include which state(s) Ohio and/or West Virginia in which you would like to receive public notices.

LRH 2016-889-SCR

Published Aug. 16, 2017
Expiration date: 9/14/2017

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:  The following application has been submitted for a Department of the Army Permit under the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.  This notice serves as the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) request to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to act on Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the following application. 

 

APPLICANT:  Columbus Regional Airport Authority

                        4600 International Gateway

                        Columbus, Ohio 43219

 

LOCATION:  As depicted in the attached Figure 1: U.S.G.S. New Albany, Northeast Columbus, Reynoldsburg and Southeast Columbus, Ohio 7.5 minute topographical quadrangle map showing the location of the Airport Property Boundary (Sheet 3 of 9), the proposed 1,082-acre project site, referred to as the Midfield Development Program (MDP) and Related Improvement at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located within the midfield area of the John Glenn Columbus International Airport in the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.  The John Glenn Columbus International Airport is bounded by Interstate 270 (Jack Nicklaus Freeway) to the north, Hamilton Road to the east, an existing runway to the south, and Stelzer Road to the west.  Additionally, some proposed project elements would occur between Drake Road and I-670 and within the Airport Golf Course to the east.  As shown on the attached tables, the proposed discharges of dredged and/or fill material would occur within 1,601 linear feet of two (2) streams (Mason Run – 574 linear feet and an Unnamed Tributary to Alum Creek – 1,027 linear feet) and 2.433 acres of 16 wetlands.  Mason Run and Alum Creek are tributaries to the Scioto River, a traditional navigable water of the United States.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK:  The applicant has proposed various projects and facility upgrades at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, collectively referred to as the MDP.  The MDP includes the construction of a Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC), a rental car support facility, and the upgrade and development of a replacement passenger terminal, an aircraft apron, a parking garage, and a ground transportation center. 

 

The construction of the new CONRAC facility at the Loop Road site would consist of two (2) buildings (a parking structure and rental car customer service building) having a footprint covering an area of approximately 8.57 acres.  Construction of this facility would involve the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into 0.060 acre of five (5) wetlands (Wetlands 15C, 15C1, 15C2, 15C3, and 15C4) and 574 linear feet of Mason Run. 

 

The construction of the new CONRAC Rental Car Support Facility at the Drake Road Site would consist of a new building, surface parking utilities, and stormwater collection and detention facilities and would have a footprint of approximately 22-acres.  Construction of this facility would require the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into approximately 1,027 linear feet of one (1) stream (Stream 2). 

 

The construction of the new terminal, parking garage, ground transportation center, and related facilities developments consists of the:

 

  • relocation of an existing Remote Transmitter and Receiver (RTR) Antenna and cell phone lot;

  • installation of new underground cabling;  

  • redevelopment of the east development area parcels;

  • demolition of a former United States Postal Service facility, the existing passenger terminal, existing rental car staging areas, and various stormwater improvements;

  • closure of the Blue Parking Lot/Employee Lot;

  • decommissioning of the existing Taxiway D reconfiguration of the taxiway exits to comply with the United States Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines;

  • construction of a new parking garage, a Central Utility Plant, and new concession warehouse;

  • expansion/relocation of the existing fuel farm; and

  • removal and replacement of existing aviation facilities. 

     

These activities would have a footprint of approximately 230 acres and would require the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into approximately 2.383 acres of 11 wetlands (Wetlands 15A, 15B, 15C6, 15D, 16A, 16B, 17A, 17C, 17E, 17H, and 17I).  Please refer to Table 1 for a summary of the proposed discharge of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the United States.  Plans of the proposal are attached to this Public Notice.

 

ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:  As a result of the proposal, dredged and/or fill material would be discharged into 1,601 linear feet of two (2) streams and 2.443 acres of 16 wetlands.  The project does not require access or proximity to, or siting within, the wetlands to fulfill its basic purpose and is considered a non-water dependent activity. The Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines state for non-water dependent activities, practicable alternatives that do not involve a discharge into special aquatic sites such as wetlands are presumed to be available, unless clearly demonstrated otherwise. The applicant is required to provide an alternatives analysis that must overcome this presumption prior to receiving authorization for the discharge of dredged and/or fill material. The applicant has submitted an alternatives analysis and it is currently under review. A complete copy of the applicant’s alternatives analysis can be reviewed by appointment at the above address. No permit will be issued until our office determines practicable upland alternatives are not available to achieve the overall project purpose based upon the applicant’s alternative analysis.

 

AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION:  In evaluating a project area containing waters of the United States, consideration must be given to avoiding impacts on these sites.  If waters of the United States cannot be avoided, then the impacts must be minimized. Approximately 7,257 linear feet of perennial streams, 3,626 linear feet of intermittent streams, 452 linear feet of ephemeral streams, and 12.341 acres of wetlands subject to Section 404 Clean Water Act regulation, exist on the project site.  Avoidance and minimization efforts were incorporated into the proposal.  The proposed project has been designed to avoid 100% of the onsite perennial streams, 56% of onsite intermittent streams, 100% of the onsite ephemeral streams, and 81% of the onsite wetlands. The applicant has indicated proper erosion and sediment control devices would be implemented to reduce downstream impacts.  The applicant would be required to obtain stormwater permits and to implement stormwater protection plans as needed for site construction following the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.  Construction activities would be performed during low flow conditions to the maximum extent practicable.  Stormwater management and erosion control systems would be implemented during construction, including silt fences, mulch and/or earthen berms, temporary seeding, hay bales, inlet protection, temporary collection basins, diversion ditches, and construction entrances.  All disturbed areas would be seeded and/or revegetated after completion of construction activities.

 

COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PLAN:  To compensate for the losses of waters of the United States associated with the proposed project, the applicant conceptually proposes to conduct on-site permittee responsible mitigation and purchase in-lieu fee stream credits from a federally-approved in-lieu fee program.

 

WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION:  A Section 401 Water Quality Certification is required for this project.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain certification from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

 

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES:  The FAA is the lead Federal agency for this project and is responsible for compliance with the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  Based on previous survey work and consultation performed by the applicant on behalf of FAA, it was determined the proposed project would result in an “adverse effect” to historic properties.  In support of our independent permit decision, the Corps intends to rely upon the information collected and the consultation performed on behalf of FAA regarding the effects to historic properties.  A copy of this Public Notice will be sent to the Ohio History Connection, the State Historic Preservation Office, for review.  Comments concerning archaeological sensitivity of a project area should be based upon collected data.

 

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES:  As the lead Federal agency, the FAA is required to complete the consultation required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.  The proposed project is located within the known or historic range of the following endangered (E), threatened (T), or proposed threatened (PT) species:  

  • Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) (E),

  • Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) (T),

  • Running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) (E),

  • Scioto madtom (Noturus trautmani) (E),

  • Clubshell mussel (Pleurobema clava) (E),

  • Northern riffleshell mussel (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana) (E)

  • Rayed bean mussel (Vilosa fabalis) (E)

  • Snuffbox mussel (Epioblasma triquetra) (E),

  • Rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica) (E)

 

The FAA has determined the project would not adversely affect any federally listed species.  In support of our independent permit decision, the Corps intends to rely upon the information collected by or on behalf of the FAA and consultation performed by or on behalf of the FAA regarding the effects to threatened or endangered species.

 

PUBLIC INTEREST REVIEW AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS:  This application will be reviewed in accordance with 33 CFR 320‑332, the Regulatory Program of the Corps, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and executive orders.  Our evaluation will also follow the guidelines published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act (40 CFR part 230).  The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the proposed activity on the public interest.  That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources.  The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments.  All factors that may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof; among those factors are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.  A permit will be granted unless its issuance is found to be contrary to the public interest.

 

SOLICITATION OF COMMENTS:  The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, state and local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity.  For accuracy and completeness of the administrative record, all data in support of or in opposition to the proposed work should be submitted in writing setting forth sufficient detail to furnish a clear understanding of the reasons for support or opposition.  Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in the notice, that a public hearing be held to consider the application.  Requests for public hearings shall state, with particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing.  Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal.  To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above.  Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.  Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.  Written statements received in this office on or before the expiration date of this Public Notice will become a part of the record and will be considered in the final determination. 

 

CLOSE OF COMMENT PERIOD:   All comments pertaining to this Public Notice must reach this office on or before the close of the comment period listed on page one of this Public Notice. 

If no comments are received by that date, it will be considered that there are no objections. Comments and requests for additional information should be submitted to:

 

United States Army Corps of Engineers

ATTN: CELRH-RD-N

Public Notice No. LRH-2016-889-SCR

502 Eighth Street

Huntington, West Virginia 25701-2070.

 

Please note names and addresses of those who submit comments in response to this Public Notice become part of our administrative record and, as such, may be available to the public under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.  Thank you for your interest in our nation’s water resources.  If you have any questions concerning this Public Notice, please contact Andrew Wendt of the North Branch, at (513) 825-4518, by mail at the above address, or by email at andrew.j.wendt@usace.army.mil.  

 


 

 

 

Table 1.0 Proposed Discharges of Dredged and/or Fill material into Waters of the United States for the Midfield Development Program and Related Improvement at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Franklin County, Ohio (Latitude 39.997839, Longitude -82.898222).

 

Wetland

Wetland Type

Acreage

Wetland 15C

PEM

0.023

Wetland 15C1

PEM

0.001

Wetland 15C2

PEM

0.014

Wetland 15C3

PEM

0.002

Wetland 15C4

PEM

0.02

Wetland 15A

PEM

0.497

Wetland 15B

PEM

0.758

Wetland 15C6

PEM

0.046

Wetland 15D

PEM

0.547

Wetland 16A

PEM

0.009

Wetland 16B

PEM

0.05

Wetland 17A

PEM

0.025

Wetland 17C

PEM

0.092

Wetland 17E

PEM

0.212

Wetland 17H

PEM

0.019

Wetland 17I

PEM

0.128

Wetland Totals

N/A

2.443

Stream

Aquatic Resource Type

Estimated amount of aquatic resource in review area in Linear Feet

 

Proposed Impacted Length (linear feet)

 

Mason Run

Intermittent

574

574

Stream 2

Intermittent

1,027

1,027

Stream Totals

N/A

1,601

1,601