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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2004-07-21 1 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole July 21, 2004 Present: Mayor Carolyn Peterson, Comm. Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Tsegaye. Moved by: Comm. Tsegaye, Seconded by: Comm. Jenkins Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant State Environmental Quality Review Act City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance STATEMENT OF FINDINGS Adopted July 21, 2004 City of Ithaca Board of Public Works Whereas, on May 15, 2002, the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works declared itself Lead Agency for the Phosphorus Reduction Design for the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plan, located on Third Street in the City of Ithaca, which project is described in more detail below; and Whereas, the Board of Public Works identified this project as an Unlisted Action under both the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (CEQRO) and reviewed the Long Form EAF Parts 1 and 2 submitted by the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, Lawrence P. Fabbroni as applicant for the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca, and the Town of Dryden as joint owners, and Whereas, on July 31, 2002, the Board of Public issued a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance stating that further environmental review was not required, Now therefore be it Resolved, that based on the foregoing planning and review process, the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works declares and certifies in compliance with 6NYCRR Part 617.11 the following: That it has considered the relevant environmental impacts, facts and conclusions for the proposed Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2 That it has weighed and balanced the relevant environmental impacts with social, economic and other considerations, That the requirements of 6NYCRR Part 617 have been met, That consistent with the social, economic and other essential considerations, from among the reasonable alternatives available, the action to be carried out minimizes or avoids, to the maximum extent practicable, adverse environmental impacts, and Be it Further Resolved, That the Board of Public Works makes the following Findings supporting this determination. Project Description The project will voluntarily upgrade the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant to provide tertiary treatment for further reduction of phosphorus discharges to Cayuga Lake involving the construction of a single –train, high rate, chemical coagulation, flocculation, and settling (HRFS) system. The HRFS system will be constructed adjacent to the existing plant effluent channel located along the northwest side of Final Settling Tank No.4. The tertiary HRFS system is designed to reduce the plant effluent total phosphorus concentration to 0.2 mg/l at the design average daily (i.e., 12-month average) flow of 10 mgd. Hydraulic capacity will be provided for treatment of peak hourly flows up to 30 mgd. Submersible propeller pumps will allow more efficient use of the existing outfall under high lake level and/or peak flow conditions. Findings of Fact and Rational for Decision The following discussion sets forth the Findings, basis and rational for the Board’s decision. IMPACT ON LAND The project site is adjacent to the existing plant and will include a new process structure with an approximate 5000 square feet foot print, two new phosphorus stripper tanks, a new polymer and sand storage area, and an additional 3,200 square feet of paving. Total site disturbance is less than 10,000 square feet. The project site is relatively flat with less than a 5% slope throughout. The proposed addition to the plant is in keeping with the existing look, character, and use of the facility and will be unobtrusive to the casual viewer. The Board finds the impact to land as a result of this project is negligible. 3 IMPACT ON WATER With the presence of excess phosphorous in the lake comes an increase in algae bloom. The current primary source of phosphorous in dry weather periods is treatment plant effluent. The Board finds that the proposed improvements to the IAWWTP, in combination with independent improvements included in the Ithaca Area Municipal Wastewater Collection Improvement Project, which in part, will eliminate individual sewage discharges at several facilities within the greater Ithaca urban area, will result in a large net reduction in phosphorous discharge to the southern end of Cayuga Lake. The Board finds that there are no negative impacts to water quality as a result of the proposed project but in fact, water quality will be improved as a result of this project. The Board further finds that as a result of this project, there will be a significant reduction in the amount of phosphorous entering the lake during critical dry periods of the year. IMPACT ON DRAINAGE Additionally, the applicant is required to obtain a permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activities obtained under the general permit for storm water discharges associated with a construction activity issued by the NYSDEC. This is to insure that sedimentation and erosion will be adequately addressed during and upon completion of construction until the site has stabilized. The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on drainage as a result of this project. IMPACT ON AIR The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on air quality as a result of this project. IMPACTS ON PLANTS AND ANIMALS The proposed improvement is in an existing lawn area. The Board finds there is no anticipated negative impact on plants and animals as a result of this project. 4 IMPACT OF VISUAL RESOURCES The location of the Phosphorous Reduction Facility is on the west side of the existing IAWWTP. The Ithaca Farmer’s Market, one of Ithaca’s most popular waterfront destination points and the proposed construction of Phase 2 and 3 of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail are also located on the west side of the existing plant but at a greater distance away. As the City of Ithaca moves ahead with the design of the Waterfront Trail, it will take into account the view of the Phosphorous Reduction Facility and the IAWWTP from both the Farmer’s Market and the trail and will plan for screening of the facility if it is deemed necessary. The Board finds the design is in keeping with the existing structure and, if any negative impact on visual resources results from this project, recommends that the City of Ithaca evaluate the extent of the impact and the appropriate mitigation when it is designing Phase 2 and 3 of the Waterfront Trail. IMPACT ON HISTORIC RESOURCES The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on historic resources. IMPACT ON OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION The location of the Phosphorous Reduction Facility is on the west side of the existing IAWWTP. The proposed construction of Phase 2 and 3 of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail are also located on the west side of the existing plant but at a greater distance away. As the City of Ithaca moves ahead with the design of the Waterfront Trail, it will take into account the view of the Phosphorous Reduction Facility and the IAWWTP from both the Farmer’s Market and the trail and will plan for screening of the facility if it is deemed necessary. The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on open space and recreation. IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION The location of the Phosphorous Reduction Facility is on the west side of the existing IAWWTP. The proposed construction of Phase 2 and 3 of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail are also located on the west side of the existing plant but at a greater distance away. As the City of Ithaca moves ahead with the design of the Waterfront Trail, it will take into account the view of the Phosphorous Reduction Facility and the IAWWTP from both the Farmer’s Market and the trail and will plan for screening of the facility if it is deemed necessary. The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on transportation. IMPACT ON ENERGY 5 The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on the community’s sources of fuel or energy supply. IMPACT ON QUALITY OF DAILY LIFE It is reasonable to assume that the impact on the quality of daily life on the properties immediately adjacent to the project site will be minimally impacted during construction of the facility including a slight increase in construction noise, traffic, and dust. The City of Ithaca Noise Ordinance restricts construction activities between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., on any day. The Board finds that the impact on the quality of daily life will be short lived during the construction period and only during those times as specified in the noise ordinance. The Board further finds that the quality of daily life for those using the lake for fishing and recreational purposes could see significant improvement over time. IMPACT ON HEALTH AND HAZARDS The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on the health and safety of area residents. IMPACT ON GROWTH AND CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD The Board finds there is no anticipated impact on the growth and character of the community or neighborhood. A vote resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously