App D Draft EA docs for 100 percent.pdf

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Construct and Operate a 525 Space Above-Ground Parking Garage

James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the preparation and availability of a "Draft Environmental Assessment" (DEA) for the proposed construction and operation of a 525 space above ground parking garage, located at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN. The DEA has been prepared in accordance with the regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), (Public Law 91-190, 42 USC 4321-4347 January 1, 1970), amendments, and VA's Implementing Regulations (38 CFR Part 26). VA intends to issue a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) following a thirty day comment period in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing NEPA, Section 1508.13 providing there are no substantive comments which warrant further evaluation.

For further information and/or a copy of the DEA please contact the Environmental Coordinator, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at the following:

Environmental Coordinator: Hilary Radford VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN PO Box 4000 MailStop 138D Mountain Home, TN 37684 Phone: (423) 926-1171 ext. 7180

FONSI – Construct Parking Garage, VAMC Mountain Home, TN Page 1 of 3

Finding of No Significant Impact Construct and Operate a 525 Space Above Ground Parking Garage

Background and Purpose

The James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (VAMC) is a tertiary care facility located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. The nature and extent of services provided by the medical center generates a high volume of patient, family/care provider, medical staff and service vehicle traffic that requires access to the campus facilities. Providing and maintaining adequate parking space for the high volume of vehicles has been a constant challenge due to the high campus population and limited amount of developable open space to accommodate additional surface parking.

Description of the Proposed Action

The proposed action is to construct a new 551 space, above ground parking structure at the VAMC with a building footprint of approximately 189 feet by 339 feet and a gross footprint area of 53,500 square feet.

The facility will be constructed on the site of an existing surface parking lot located south of the domiciliary (Building 160). The number and type of spaces allocated are in accordance with the demand identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs Parking Demand Methodology Facility Parking Analysis.

The structure will include three bays and five levels, and will have two entry/exit locations. Elevators will be situated immediately east of the garage center. A pedestrian bridge has been designed at the third parking level that would connect to the third floor of Building 160 for incorporation at a future date. The primary materials used in construction will be precast pieces (double-tees, wall panels, etc.).

Anticipated Environmental Effects of the Proposed Action

Noise – Noise levels will be higher than baseline levels and unavoidable during construction activities.

Noise will be generated by the use of heavy construction equipment, during drilling and setting foundation pillars, movement and erection of materials and constructing/connecting the pedestrian bridge to Building 160. Noise levels will be mitigated to the extent possible using administrative and engineering controls.

Aesthetics and Visual Resources – Aesthetics will be adversely affected during construction with the presence of building materials and construction equipment and from removal of landscape plantings. This will be a temporary condition. Following construction, views from the lower patient rooms on the south side of Building 160 will be affected by the presence of the parking garage. This is considered an acceptable compromise due to the extreme need for adequate parking resources for patients, relatives and medical and support staff.

FONSI – Construct Parking Garage, VAMC Mountain Home, TN Page 2 of 3

Air Quality – Air quality will be affected from the use of construction equipment and disturbance of site soil materials, but on a minor scale. Increases in emissions and fugitive dust will be managed with Best Management Practices and are not expected to cause a change in compliance with National Air Quality Standards.

Socioeconomics – The socioeconomic resources will be affected positively on a local/regional basis from the purchase of materials, labor and other direct costs of constructing the parking garage. No adverse effects are anticipated, and the location of the proposed action will not affect minority or low-income populations.

Transportation – Transportation will be affected during construction from reduced access to the south side of Building 160 and from the temporary loss of parking spaces on the construction site. Alternate parking opportunities will be provided by VAMC during construction of the garage. Following construction, transportation will be greatly enhanced by providing adequate parking resources.

Cultural Resources – VAMC is within a designated historic district associated with the former Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and a National Cemetery. The location of the proposed parking garage is not near resources that contribute to the cultural or historic value of the district. No archeological resources are known to exist within the area where the garage is planned for construction. For these reasons, no adverse effects to cultural or historic resources are anticipated.

Geology and Soils – Temporary effects to the geology and soils will occur during grading of the ground surface and constructing supporting pillars of the parking garage. Best Management Practices will be used to suppress erosion during construction and boring activities. Soils will be stabilized upon completion of construction. Construction and operation of the parking garage will not cause significant adverse effects to geology or soils.

Wetlands, Floodplains and Surface Waters – The location where the parking garage will be constructed is outside of wetland, floodplain and surface water resources. Brush Creek, its floodplain and a man-made lake, are located in the immediate vicinity of the proposed project. Construction and post construction periods would adhere to an existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and pollution prevention plan created to protect water resources from contamination, excess runoff and erosional forces. For this reason, no significant adverse effects to wetlands, floodplains or surface waters are anticipated.

Vegetation and Land Use – The area proposed for constructing the parking garage is an existing surface parking lot. Removal of landscape vegetation will occur, some of which will be replaced following erection of the structure. Impacts to land use will be positive in that the number of parking spaces will increase significantly, and access to the domiciliary greatly improved.

Wildlife, Threatened and Endangered Species – The current land use where the proposed action will occur is a surface parking lot, and does not provide significant resources for wildlife habitation. For this reason, conducting the proposed action will not adversely affect wildlife resources.

FONSI – Construct Parking Garage, VAMC Mountain Home, TN Page 3 of 3

Solid and Hazardous Materials and Wastes – The location of the proposed parking garage does not contain any known sources of solid or hazardous materials or wastes. Construction and operation of the proposed parking garage will adhere to Best Management Practices. For this reason, the proposed project is not anticipated to cause any release of solid or hazardous materials or waste materials to the environment.

Safety – Construction of the proposed parking garage has the potential to affect safety of humans and the environment because of the types of activities to be conducted, materials used and transportation of equipment and materials. Construction activities and movement of materials will undergo intensive planning, management and oversight including following Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. Primary focus will be on construction worker safety, especially during heavy lift operations, and on limiting access to work areas to only qualified personnel. In addition, oversight and transportation of large materials will be necessary, especially if transport across the Southern railway line is conducted. By following proper requirements and regulations, no adverse impacts to safety are anticipated from conducting the proposed action.

Conclusion

Detailed evaluation was conducted to determine potential adverse effects to the human, physical and natural environment, as presented in the Environmental Assessment Construct and Operate a 525 Space Above Ground Parking Garage, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN. Based upon my review of the facts and analyses contained in the attached EA, which is incorporated by reference herein, I conclude that the Proposed Action will not have a significant impact. An Environmental Impact Statement is not required for this action. This document and the supporting EA, fulfills the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Approved:

Hilary Radford Date GEMS Coordinator

Construct 525 Space Above Ground Parking Garage

Contract VA249-14-C-0150, Project 621-330

DRAFT

Environmental Assessment

Prepared for Dept. of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 9 1639 Medical Center Pkwy., Suite 400 Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Prepared by

3603 NW 98th St., Suite B Gainesville, FL 32606

January 14, 2015

Construct 525 Space Above Ground Parking Garage DRAFT Environmental Assessment i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 PURPOSE AND NEED

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background

2 PROPOSED ACTION

3 ALTERNATIVES

3.1 Alternative 1

3.2 No-Action Alternative

4 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

4.1 Noise

4.1.1 Affected Environment

4.1.2 Environmental Consequences

4.1.2.1 Proposed Action

4.1.2.2 Alternative 1

4.1.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.2 Aesthetics and Visual Resources

4.2.1 Affected Environment

4.2.2 Environmental Consequences

4.2.2.1 Proposed Action

4.2.2.2 Alternative 1

4.2.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.3 Air Quality

4.3.1 Affected Environment

4.3.2 Environmental Consequences

4.3.2.1 Proposed Action

4.3.2.2 Alternative 1

4.3.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.4 Socioeconomics

4.4.1 Affected Environment

4.4.2 Environmental Consequences

4.4.2.1 Proposed Action

4.4.2.2 Alternative 1

4.4.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.5 Transportation

4.5.1 Affected Environment

4.5.2 Environmental Consequences

4.5.2.1 Proposed Action

4.5.2.2 Alternative 1

4.5.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.6 Cultural and Historical Resources

4.6.1 Affected Environment

4.6.2 Environmental Consequences

4.6.2.1 Proposed Action

4.6.2.2 Alternative 1

ii

4.6.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.7 Geology and Soils

4.7.1 Affected Environment

4.7.2 Environmental Consequences

4.7.2.1 Proposed Action

4.7.2.2 Alternative 1

4.7.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.8 Groundwater and Water Quality

4.8.1 Affected Environment

4.8.2 4.8.2 Environmental Consequences

4.8.2.1 Proposed Action

4.8.2.2 Alternative 1

4.8.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.9 Wetlands, Floodplains, and Surface Waters

4.9.1 Affected Environment

4.9.2 Environmental Consequences

4.9.2.1 Proposed Action

4.9.2.2 Alternative 1

4.9.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.10 Vegetation and Land Use

4.10.1 Affected Environment

4.10.2 Environmental Consequences

4.10.2.1 Proposed Action

4.10.2.2 Alternative 1

4.10.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.11 Wildlife

4.11.1 Affected Environment

4.11.2 Environmental Consequences

4.11.2.1 Proposed Action

4.11.2.2 Alternative 1

4.11.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.12 Threatened and Endangered Species

4.12.1 Affected Environment

4.12.2 Environmental Consequences

4.12.2.1 Proposed Action

4.12.2.2 Alternative 1

4.12.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.13 Solid and Hazardous Materials and Wastes

4.13.1 Affected Environment

4.13.2 Environmental Consequences

4.13.2.1 Proposed Action

4.13.2.2 Alternative 1

4.13.2.3 No-action Alternative

4.14 Safety

4.14.1 Affected Environment

4.14.2 Environmental Consequences

4.14.2.1 Proposed Action

4.14.2.2 Alternative 1

4.14.2.3 No-action Alternative

iii

5 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

5.1 Cumulative Effects Summary

5.2 Mitigation Summary

6 LIST OF PREPARERS

7 REFERENCES

8 PERSONS CONSULTED

FIGURES

1. Location Map

2. Proposed Action – Parking Garage Location

3. Alternative 1

4. Aerial View of Campus

5. Current Parking Resources

6. Historic Buildings

7. Wetlands Inventory

8. Flood Zone Map

AGENCY COORDINATION AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

To be prepared/provided by VAMC

ACRONYMS

BMPs Best Management Practices CAA Clean Air Act EA Environmental Assessment NEPA National Environmental Policy Act TDEC-DNH Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation – Division of Natural Heritage TWRA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service VA Veteran's Administration

1 PURPOSE AND NEED

1.1 Introduction

The James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (VAMC) is a tertiary care facility located in Johnson City, Tennessee (Figure 1). It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care. In addition to providing acute care, the VAMC offers geriatric and rehabilitation services through its 120-bed Nursing Home Care Unit. The facility also operates a 170-bed

Domiciliary that offers a variety of treatment options, which includes a Homeless inpatient treatment program and Homeless Outreach.

1.2 Background

The nature and extent of services provided by the medical center generates a high volume of patient, family/care provider, medical staff and service vehicle traffic that requires access to the campus facilities.

Providing and maintaining adequate parking space for the high volume of vehicles has been a constant challenge due to the high campus population and limited amount of developable open space. Several strategies have been employed to address the limited parking opportunities including use of valet, remote parking/shuttle and leasing off property parking spaces. The current strategies are not sufficient to accommodate current campus parking needs and do not allow for convenient access to facilities, especially for handicapped patient access.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) federal agencies are required to consider the impacts of their actions on the human and natural environment. Agency actions subject to NEPA encompass a diverse range of activities, such as: construction; lease, sale or purchase of property; grants or permitting; programs or policies that are under the Agency's control and that have the potential to cause environmental impact(s). The action under consideration, to construct and maintain a parking garage, falls within the requirement to conduct an Environmental Assessment (EA) level of effort. This EA has been prepared using the methods outlined in Department of Veteran Affairs NEPA Interim Guidance for

Projects, 2010.

2 PROPOSED ACTION

The proposed action is to construct a new 551 space, 200,000 square foot above ground parking structure at the VAMC. The facility will be constructed on the site of an existing surface parking lot located south of the domiciliary (Building 160) (Figure 2). The number and type of spaces allocated are in accordance with the demand identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs Parking Demand Methodology Facility

Parking Analysis.

The Parking Structure will include a three bay wide, five level tall (four supported floors), precast concrete structure with a building footprint of approximately 189 feet by 339 feet and a gross footprint area of 53,500 square feet. All parking spaces will be 90 degrees with two-way drive aisles and single-threaded helix circulation. The south bay will ramp up from east to west with end turning bays. The two north bays closest to the destination will be flat with slopes to floor drains. The design includes open stair towers at the northeast corner and the north and east sides for egress requirements. Two elevators will be located near the middle of the parking structure and one elevator on the north side for vertical access and egress requirements and access to VA Building 160.

Structural design of the Parking Structure is governed by the applicable Veterans Administration standards, the 2012 International Building Code and other national codes and standards. The structure will be designed for the actual weight of the structure, required live loads, allowances for mechanical and electrical items, as well as roof live loads, snow loads, wind and seismic lateral loads, and a future photovoltaic system. Expansion joints have been provided between the stair/elevator structures and the garage structure and at the middle of the garage to accommodate lateral and thermal movements of the structure. The superstructure consists of precast concrete columns, inverted tee beams, spandrel beams, double tee slabs/joists, lightwalls and wall panels. Lateral loads will be distributed by the double tee slab diaphragm to the shearwalls at the middle and each end of the structure and to the lightwall that runs the length of the ramps. The walls will transfer lateral loads to the building foundations where the forces will be distributed into the soil. Per the Geotechnical Report’s recommendations, the garage structure will be supported on pier caps and grade beams supported by 36” to 60” diameter drilled shafts or caissons to bedrock at depths of approximately 7.5 feet to 42 feet below the existing grade. The ground level slab-on-grade is a “floating” reinforced concrete slab with a minimum thickness of 6 inches. Control and isolation joints will be located to control cracking.

The future pedestrian bridge is planned to connect the north side of the new parking structure to the third level of the existing VA Building 160. It will likely be supported by steel trusses on each side spanning between concrete support piers with a concrete floor slab.

3 ALTERNATIVES

3.1 Alternative 1

Alternative 1 includes construction and operation of a 525 space, 200,000 square foot two bay, five level garage approximately 338 by 127 feet outside dimensions. This design also includes two entry/exit locations, one at the east end at Ground Level and one just west of mid-deck at the Second Level. The location would cover a slightly different footprint as that of the Proposed Action. See Figure 3.

3.2 No-Action Alternative

The No-action Alternative would maintain the current method of accommodating vehicle parking. This includes use of existing parking lots, valet parking and continuing to lease off-site parking spaces.

4 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

4.1 Noise

Noise is generally defined as unwanted sound and is measured in decibel units. On a qualitative scale, lower volume noise is regarded in terms of annoyance while excessively loud noise is evaluated with respect to affecting an individual’s health and safety. In the VA Medical Center setting, maintaining a serene environment is important to the well-being of patients, especially those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorders.

4.1.1 Affected Environment

Under current conditions, noise in the vicinity of the proposed project is maintained at acceptable levels and is generated by vehicular traffic (automobiles and service vehicles) and the use of grounds maintenance equipment, with noise volumes highest during normal waking hours. An additional intermittent noise source comes from Southern Railroad line traffic occurring south of the VAMC property approximately 200 feet south of Building 160.

4.1.2 Environmental Consequences

4.1.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Noise levels will be higher than baseline levels and unavoidable during construction activities. Noise will be generated by the use of heavy construction equipment, during drilling and setting foundation pillars, movement and erection of materials and connecting the pedestrian bridge to Building 160. Construction activities that generate the greatest noise will be conducted during waking hours. A number of methods can be used to reduce noise levels during construction, and are described as follows:

• Administrative controls - scheduling excessive noise generating activities to waking hours, limiting/restricting personnel access to high noise areas, shutting down noise generating equipment when not in useful production, locating noise sources such as generators and compressors at greater distances from potential receptors,

• Engineering controls - Use of temporary sound barriers between noise sources and receptors, maintaining equipment and using noise reduction features such as mufflers, enclosures, guards and noise damping materials, using quieter construction methods such as when constructing column type supports, constructing drilled bore holes rather than driving piles.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Noise levels following the construction period will return to near baseline levels. A slight increase in noise may be experienced from vehicular traffic from Bradford Pear Lane as sound is reflected from the parking structure toward the medical facility; however, since the speed of vehicular traffic is low, noise from this source will not be significant. Portions of the domiciliary may experience lower noise levels from train traffic as the parking garage will provide a barrier to noise from the south.

4.1.2.2 Alternative 1

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: The action considered under Alternative 1 is similar to the Proposed

Action, and would generate similar noise levels during construction of the parking facility.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Noise levels under Alternative 1 would be similar to those described under the Proposed Action.

4.1.2.3 No-action Alternative

Under the No-action Alternative, noise levels would remain consistent with current levels produced by traffic on Bradford Pear Lane, grounds maintenance and the train rail line south of Building 160.

4.2 Aesthetics and Visual Resources

4.2.1 Affected Environment

Located in the Smoky Mountains the campus is characterized by hilly terrain affording views of wooded slopes and mountains. The Medical Center campus setting includes historic buildings, the National

Cemetery, and the modern hospital facilities concentrated predominately in the eastern portion of the campus. The developed areas are enhanced by landscape plantings including maintained lawns with planted shrubs, trees and naturally occurring vegetation. Mountain views from locations within the campus add to the quality of VAMC’s aesthetics. Figure 4 presents an aerial view of the campus and the surrounding area.

4.2.2 Environmental Consequences

4.2.2.1 Proposed Action

The parking garage will be designed to complement the overall setting and aesthetics of Building 160.

This alternative includes constructing five parking levels over the existing surface parking lot. Locating the garage at this location will necessitate obstructing views of the mountain range from the lower patient floors of Building 160 that face southward. Based on the need to solve the current parking situation, the reduction in mountain views to some of the patient rooms is judged to be a necessary and acceptable compromise in land use.

4.2.2.2 Alternative 1

Alternative 1 is similar to that of the proposed action. Southward views from lower floors of Building

160 will be obscured.

4.2.2.3 No-action Alternative

Conducting no action maintain the current visual qualities of VAMC and will have no effect on the aesthetic environment.

4.3 Air Quality

4.3.1 Affected Environment

Federal law designates six air pollutants as criteria contaminants and requires special measures to limit their presence in the nation's air: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (fine particles less than 2.5 microns in size as PM2.5 and courser particles up to 10 microns in size as PM10), and lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets the National Ambient Air Quality

Standards for air pollutants as required under the Clean Air Act, last amended in 1990 (40 Code of

Federal Regulations part 50). Parts of the country where the air quality standards are exceeded for one or more of the criteria pollutants are designated as nonattainment areas. The Environmental Protection A requires each state government to adopt a State Implementation Plan that prescribes control strategies to reduce air pollution in nonattainment areas, and to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies prescribed in its Plan. The Mountain Home VAMC is located in Washington County, Tennessee, which is not designated as a nonattainment area for any of the six criteria contaminants, meaning that air quality is in compliance with Clean Air Act standards.

4.3.2 Environmental Consequences

4.3.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Construction of the parking facility has the potential to cause the release of particulates into the atmosphere through disturbance of soils and existing ground surface materials. A slight increase in pollutants is also anticipated from the used of construction equipment such as internal combustion engines. Emissions will be minimized by use of best-management-practices (BMPs). The increase in particulates or emissions during construction is not expected to cause a condition of nonattainment for any of the designated pollutants.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Air quality following construction of the parking facility will be similar to preconstruction conditions and that of conducting no action.

4.3.2.2 Alternative 1

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: The effects to air quality from conducting Alternative 1 would be similar to those of conducting the Proposed Action because the same construction methods would be used.

Conducting Alternative 1 is not expected affect air quality attainment status of the area.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Air quality following construction of the parking facility under Alternative 1 would be similar to preconstruction conditions and that of conducting no action.

4.3.2.3 No-action Alternative

Under the No-action Alternative, no construction would occur, and air quality would remain unchanged from current conditions. Attainment status of air quality criteria would continue to be met.

4.4 Socioeconomics

4.4.1 Affected Environment

The subject of socioeconomics comprises the basic attributes and resources associated with the human environment, particularly population and economic activity. Economic activity encompasses employment, personal income, and economic growth. Factors that affect these fundamental socioeconomic components also influence other issues such as housing and providing public services. The Mountain Home VAMC is located on the southwestern side of Johnson City, Tennessee. Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County. The 2013 population for Johnson City was estimated at 65,123 by the United States Census, making it the eighth largest city in the state. Johnson City is the principal city of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical

Area, a metropolitan area that covers Carter, Unicoi, and Washington counties and which had a combined population of 195,849 as of 2008.

The Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport – Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region. The Tri-Cities is the fifth largest Combined Statistical Area in Tennessee with an estimated 500,538 people in residence. As of the census of 2010, there were 63,152 people, 26,959 households, and 14,018 families residing in the city.

The population density was 1,470.6 people per square mile (545.4/km²). There were 26,955 housing units at an average density of 655.1/sq mi (253.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.9% White, 6.6%

African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race represented 1.89% of the population.

There were 23,720 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was

37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,835, and the median income for a family was

$40,977. Males had a median income of $31,326 versus $22,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,364. About 11.4% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of persons under age 18 and 12.7% of persons age 65 or over.

The proposed location of the parking facility is entirely within the VAMC campus, within an existing surface parking lot, and does not have the potential to affect minority or low income populations.

4.4.2 Environmental Consequences

4.4.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Construction of the parking facility will have a temporary beneficial effect on the local and regional economy. Beneficial effects of constructing the parking facility would come from creating jobs for management and construction personnel and the purchase of materials used in construction. The region of influence of the project would depend on the sources of site workers and materials brought to the site. The magnitude of the benefit is on the order of $8,572,000 which is the estimated budget for the project.

POST CONSTRUCTION: The effects to socioeconomics following construction would be minimal.

Leasing of offsite parking resources would be terminated. Parking areas currently under lease by VAMC would be used by occupants of residential housing currently being constructed to the southeast of the project area.

4.4.2.2 Alternative 1

Constructing the parking garage in a slightly different design would have the same effects to the socioeconomic environment as the Proposed Action.

4.4.2.3 No-action Alternative

Conducting no-action would maintain the current socio-economic environment.

4.5 Transportation

4.5.1 Affected Environment

The Johnson City area is served by local, regional and interstate roadways and the Southern Railroad

Line. The area supports a variety of transportation modes including, bus service (Johnson City Transit

System), taxi, privately owned vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle. The Mountain Home VAMC is located on a campus that is convenient to the surrounding community. The campus has a network of roadways accessible through multiple entry points and parking areas distributed around the hospital and other medical facilities. The campus is located within easy access to I-81 and I-26.

The sole object of this project is to improve the ability of patients, caregivers and medical professionals to access portions of the campus, specifically the domiciliary and adjacent buildings. Roadways and entry points to the domiciliary are adequate to provide access, however, the current parking situation is inadequate because the limited number of parking spaces available close to the user’s desired destinations.

Current parking resources for the VAMC campus are depicted in Figure 5. The parking facilities currently supporting the domiciliary are Lots A, B and N.

4.5.2 Environmental Consequences

4.5.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: During the period that the parking structure will be constructed, the number of parking spaces will be significantly reduced because most of the parking spaces of the current surface parking Lots A and B will be made unavailable. To help alleviate this reduction in parking resources, alternate parking opportunities will be made available through the use of a new East Tennessee

State University paved lot on the west end of campus. The remote lot (M7) is located approximately 0.8 miles northwest of the project site near the Johnson City Medical Center gate. Patients/caregivers, and medical staff will be transported to and from the remote lot using a dedicated shuttle during designated times of the day. The route of the existing shuttle will be adjusted to cover the East Tennessee State

University lot as well an existing remote lot. VAMC provides access and parking information on its website so that users of the medical facility can be informed of parking resources serving the medical center in advance of their arrival.

Transportation would be affected in the local area due to delivery of equipment and materials used in construction of the parking garage. Materials and equipment used in construction of the parking garage would include large and heavy objects eg. precast materials double-tees, wall panels, etc., with dimensions up to 62’ by 12’ and weigh up to 40 tons each. Large equipment required on site would include tracked or wheel driven graders for site preparation and heavy lift crane(s) for lifting, moving and placement of precast material. Transport of these items will require careful planning including identification of routes travelled and obtaining permits for oversized loads. In addition, crossing of the

Southern Railway line at Mountain Home Drive may be required. Coordination with the Southern

Railway will be required in order to arrange safe transport of materials across the railway. These effects are discussed under the safety issues in Section 4.14 of this document.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Following opening of the newly constructed parking facility, transportation will be significantly improved due to the increased parking capacity provided by the proposed action. The movement of traffic will be greatly improved because excessive travel of vehicles searching for parking spaces will be alleviated.

4.5.2.2 Alternative 1

The effects to transportation by conducting Alternative 1 will be similar to the Proposed Action during both construction and post construction periods. This alternative would provide an increase in the number of parking spaces compared to the proposed project.

4.5.2.3 No-action Alternative

Under the No-action Alternative, transportation will continue to be adversely affected by the lack of parking resources adjacent to the domiciliary and adjacent buildings.

4.6 Cultural and Historical Resources

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 is the primary Federal law that implements regulations affecting cultural and historical resources, and encourages states to develop programs supporting historic preservation. The Tennessee Historical Commission, as part of the Department of Environment and

Conservation, is the State Historic Preservation Office in Tennessee that is responsible for managing cultural and historical resources, which includes reviewing proposed federal projects.

(http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/hist/

4.6.1 Affected Environment

Established in 1901 and opened in 1904, the Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled

Volunteer Soldiers, also known as Mountain Home, has been identified as a nationally significant historic resource under National Historic Landmark Criterion 1 as a property that is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to our past; and National Historic Landmark Theme IV, shaping the political landscape: governmental institutions, under the area of Health/Medicine.

The Mountain Home campus, which is designated a historic district, occupies 247.1 acres. Of this, 155.64 acres are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs and 91.46 acres are administered by the National Cemetery Administration. The former Mountain Branch was incorporated into the James H.

Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center Mountain Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer

Soldiers and on 17 June, 2011, was designated a Historic National Landmark by the National Park

Service. The location of buildings and structures that contribute to the cultural value of the district are presented in Figure 6.

Because the historic district at VAMC possesses significant historic and cultural values, emphasis has been placed on maintaining the architectural and aesthetic qualities of the buildings and grounds following preservation guidelines established under National Historic Preservation Act. For this reason, modifications to the landscape and land resources are evaluated and planned so as to maintain the integrity of the existing cultural resources. At present, there are no known archeological resources in the vicinity of the proposed project.

As part of the review process for this EA, a consultation letter will be sent to the State Historic

Preservation Office to ascertain whether there are any additional cultural and historical resources of concern in the vicinity of the proposed project and verify any potential effects that may result from the project.

4.6.2 Environmental Consequences

4.6.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: No adverse effects to cultural resources on the VAMC campus are anticipated from the construction or operation of the parking garage. During the construction period, disturbance of the ground surface will be required to contour existing elevations to meet design criteria. In addition, deeper intrusion of the ground will be required to construct underground support structures.

Although no archeological resources have been identified on the project site, the possibility exists that resources may be discovered. In the event that archeological artifacts are discovered, all intrusive work will cease, and the site will be protected until consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office is established and instructions on to how to proceed are provided.

POST CONSTRUCTION: The location of the parking facility to be constructed is immediately south of the domiciliary, Building 160, the primary building that it will support. The design of the parking facility is planned to compliment the surrounding land resources and developed community, and will not affect the cultural values of the area. A general concern when combining modern architecture with older, historic resources is that the qualities of the historic resources may be adversely affected by the presence of structures that do not match or compliment the historic nature of the resource. The aesthetics of the parking facility is not expected to detract from cultural values of the historic district. The height dimension of Building 160 is such that most of the parking structure will not be visible from resources that represent historic value. The nearest building of historic significance to the proposed structure is

Building 2 (distance approximately 630 feet), a former barracks which is currently leased to East

Tennessee State University Medical School and used as classrooms. Under the proposed action, little of the parking structure would be visible from any vantage point of Building 2 or other historic resources due to the variation in land elevation distance to the parking facility from historic resources and the presence of mature trees which obscures much of the view.

4.6.2.2 Alternative 1

Conducting Alternative 1 is similar to the Proposed Action but with a slightly different footprint and areal dimensions. This alternative would have similar effects as the Proposed Action and is not anticipated to cause adverse effects during construction or operation of the parking facility.

4.6.2.3 No-action Alternative

Conducting no action will have no effects on cultural resources on the VAMC campus.

4.7 Geology and Soils

4.7.1 Affected Environment

Geology and soils within the area to be affected have been formed by natural processes and manmade alterations. National Resource Conservation Service documentation indicates two soil types exist on and in the vicinity of the project area including Dewey Udorthents Urban land complex and Bellamy loam.

These are described as follows:

Dewey Udorthents Urban land complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes, map unit composition: Dewey and similar soils: 50 %, Udorthents and similar soils: 25%, Urban land: 20 %, typical profile includes silt loam, clay loam and clay horizons, natural drainage class as well drained.

Bellamy loam, 5-12% slopes, typical profile includes loam, clay loam and sandy clay loam horizons, moderately well drained, depth to water table 18 to 36 inches frequency of flooding:

none, frequency of ponding: none.

Nine soil test borings were performed in support of this project in the area of the existing/proposed parking lot. Surficial materials included layers of asphalt or topsoil. Beneath the surficial layer, several borings encountered man-placed fill. The fill soils extended to depths up to about seven (7) feet with the majority of the fill depths less than 5 feet. Due to past construction activities and numerous existing underground utilities, the greater fill depths are interpreted as a result of deeper utility line backfill. The consistency and quality of fill soils are considered to be poor and not acceptable for direct support of foundations without subgrade remediation.

Residual soils were encountered at all boring locations; either immediately beneath the surficial ground cover or beneath existing fill soils. The consistency and quality of the residual soils are also varied and range from very stiff or stiff to very soft, thus creating potential significant settlement issues particularly for the proposed heavy column loads required by the parking structure. The consistency of residual soils decreased with depth, a condition typical of the local geologic area.

Bedrock, as defined by auger refusal, was encountered at all nine boring locations at depths ranging from approximately 7.5 feet to 42.4 feet below existing grade, thus indicating highly variable bedrock surface with likely bedrock pinnacles and deep soil slots. This erratic bedrock surface and slots of soft to very soft soil is also typical of the geologic region. The refusal media was cored at six (6) of the boring locations to determine its nature and quality. The bedrock was determined to consist of moderately hard to hard limestone with occasional voids, weathered rock seams or soil seams, also typical of the local geology.

4.7.2 Environmental Consequences

4.7.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Surface and subsurface soils will be disturbed where ground elevations require leveling to accommodate the design criteria for ground level surface parking and to construct deep pilings for support of the garage’s main structural components. Preliminary design details include drilling to and into bedrock where required and placing structural pilings. This is required because surface and subsurface soils have been determined to be unsuitable for bearing loads needed for the parking structure.

Minimum shaft diameters of 36 inches are recommended using steel casings to maintain proper shaft geometry. Appropriate BMPs will be used in constructing boreholes and supporting columns.

The precast pieces (double-tees, wall panels, etc.) will weigh up to 40 tons each and be up to 62’ by 12’, so typically they are delivered one piece per flatbed truck. Transport and placement of the large and heavy precast materials will require the use of oversize trucks and trailers, and movement using heavy lift crane equipment. The crane used to erect the precast pieces will likely need an improved ground surface pad to move around on and to support the crane and the heavy materials. The existing storm pipes near the garage will also need to be protected from the crane and other construction loads. Engineering properties of soils will be evaluated and managed to allow safe movement of materials during construction. For these reasons, no adverse effects to local or regional geology or soils are anticipated.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Design criteria and construction methods will be used such that the final construction characteristics will maintain structurally sound geology and soil characteristics. Therefore, no adverse effects to geology or soils are anticipated over the life of the parking facility.

4.7.2.2 Alternative 1

The effects to geology and soils under Alternative 1 will be similar to that of the Proposed Action. No adverse effects to geology or soils are anticipated under this alternative.

4.7.2.3 No-action Alternative

Under the No-action Alternative, the geology and soils will remain unchanged. Therefore, no effects will occur.

4.8 Groundwater and Water Quality

4.8.1 Affected Environment

Groundwater represents the subsurface hydrologic resource of the physical environment. Groundwater resources can be a safe and reliable source of fresh water for the general population, especially in areas of limited precipitation. In Tennessee, the Division of Ground Water Protection, Department of

Environment and Conservation manages and regulates groundwater issues.

Geotechnical soil borings were performed at nine locations within the project area to depths of 7.5 to 42.4 feet below ground surface. Only the deepest boring exhibited groundwater where depth to water was 20.0 feet. Groundwater in the vicinity of the VAMC facility is expected to flow toward Brush Creek, immediately down gradient from the proposed project site. No indication of groundwater contamination was observed, and no known contamination has been documented within or near the project vicinity.

4.8.2 4.8.2 Environmental Consequences

4.8.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Based on preliminary design specifications, it is anticipated that potential exists for groundwater resources to be affected. This is because the load bearing quality of soils upon which the parking facility will be built is not adequate to support the structure. To remedy this situation, pilings will need to be constructed upon bedrock, with some locations lying below the soil/groundwater interface. De-watering of spaces where columns will be constructed may be required to lower water levels during construction. Temporary lowering of the groundwater table in the immediate vicinity of the boreholes is not anticipated to cause adverse effects to the groundwater system. All construction activities, including soil and groundwater intrusive actions, will be conducted following environmental regulations and best management practices. For this reason, no adverse effects to groundwater are anticipated from construction of the proposed parking facility.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Operation and maintenance of the proposed parking facility will not cause adverse effects to the groundwater environment. Management of landscaped areas will be conducted using the same methods as currently used under the No-Action alternative.

4.8.2.2 Alternative 1

Effects to groundwater and water quality will be similar to that of the Proposed Action during or post construction, and are not anticipated to cause adverse effects to the groundwater environment.

4.8.2.3 No-action Alternative

Under the No-action Alternative, no effects to groundwater or water quality will occur.

4.9 Wetlands, Floodplains, and Surface Waters

4.9.1 Affected Environment

The proposed location for constructing the parking facility is within an upland landscape, currently used as a parking lot located south of Building 160. Surface water drainage from precipitation is conveyed through stormwater drains located throughout the parking lot which flow to Brush Creek. Brush Creek is a channelized surface water that flows into the Watauga River near the Johnson City wastewater treatment plant.

The nearest wetland to the proposed parking facility is a manmade lake (unnamed) located approximately

450 feet to the southwest and identified on National Wetland Inventory mapping (Figure 7). A low lying area extending east of the unnamed lake is an identified flood prone area identified by the Federal

Emergency Management Agency and is depicted on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (Figure 8). Similar to the surface parking lot, both the unnamed lake and flood prone area utilize weir/storm drain features that convey stormwater to Brush Creek.

4.9.2 Environmental Consequences

4.9.2.1 Proposed Action

CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Best management practices will be used during all ground disturbing activities and will minimize or eliminate erosion and sediment transport to the receiving waters of Brush

Creek. State of Tennessee National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for

Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities No. TNR 10000 is in effect and will include stormwater pollution prevention plan created and implemented to address surface water runoff for this project. For this reason, no adverse effects to wetlands, floodplains or surface waters will occur during construction of the parking facility.

POST CONSTRUCTION: Storm water drainage from the parking facility will be managed similar to current management practices. Grounds adjacent to the facility will have been stabilized and will be maintained to prevent or minimize transport of contaminants to adjacent surface waters.

4.9.2.2 Alternative 1

Alternative 1 is similar to the Proposed Action, and would not cause adverse effects to…