Attachment_0010_-_NEPA_FONSI_Mustang_Trailhead.pdf

FONSI 1

DOI-BLM-Eastern States-M000-2022-0012-EA

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

Northeastern States District Office

626 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200

Milwaukee, WI 53202

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

for

Multipurpose Pavilion Utilities and Parking Lot

INTRODUCTION:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed an environmental review DOI-BLM-

Eastern States-M000-2022-012-EA prepared for Multipurpose Pavilion Utilities and Parking Lot at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) in Fairfax County, Virginia. The selected alternative is the Proposed Action at the Mustang Loop in Section 2.2 of the attached environmental assessment (EA). The Proposed Action includes paving the Mustang Loop parking lot with asphalt, installation of electrical and water utilities to the already existing pavilion, and relocating the pollinator garden. The parking area would total up to 2.1 acres. The

BLM would implement the design features in Section 2.2.1 of the EA.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT:

Based on my review of the attached EA and supporting documents, I have determined that the selected alternative is not a major federal action and will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required. This finding is based on the degree of the effects described in the following sections within the identified affected environment.

Potentially Affected Environment (40 CFR § 1501.3(b)(1))

The selected alternative encompasses up to 2.1 acres in the 804-acre Meadowood SRMA.

Degree of Effects (40 CFR § 1501.3(b)(2))

The following have been considered in my evaluation of the selected alternative:

i. Short- and long-term effects

In the short term, pollinator species would be disturbed and potentially displaced during the relocation of the garden. Once the pollinator garden is relocated outside of the Mustang Loop parking lot, it will be planted with native, sustainable plant species, which require less maintenance and water over time as referenced in Section 2.2.1 of the EA. The long-term effects will encourage pollinators to be attracted to a safe habitat away from vehicular traffic. In addition, relocating the pollinator garden outside of the Mustang Loop parking lot will provide a long-term location for a safe place to enjoy plants and pollinators.

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In the short term, the Mustang Loop area will be temporarily unavailable while the parking lot is prepared for paving. In the long term, the paved parking lot will provide a safe parking area that will be compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) and the Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA). Paving the parking lot will allow for improved, safe access for Wild Horse & Burro events, environmental education events, and all visitors to the Mustang Loop area. See Section

2.2.1 in the EA.

Installing the electrical and water utilities will not have a short-term effect to the area. In the long term, the use of electricity will decrease the amount of harmful emissions from running a generator, which can be a contributing factor to climate change. Public safety will be improved with the installation of security lighting. Having water utilities at the pavilion will stop water trucks from hauling water to the location. The long-term effects will decrease the amount of harmful emissions from the trucks. See Section 2.2.1 in the EA.

ii. Beneficial and adverse effects

Paving the Mustang Loop parking lot will improve access for all visitors, including those coming for the Wild Horse & Burro (WH&B) events and environmental education events. Paving the parking lot will provide a safe, low maintenance parking area to all visitors and would be compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA). By relocating the pollinator garden to an area outside of the parking lot, this will maximize its use for recreation and environmental education events. A robust native plant community will attract and support pollinator species away from vehicular traffic. Adverse effects are described in the short- and long-term section above. Those effects are not considered significant for the same reason described above.

iii. Effects on public health and safety

The selected alternative would not affect public health. The selected alternative would provide safer access to parking by being compliant to the ABA and ADA. Properly marked parking spots will increase safety for all visitors. Moving the pollinator garden out of the parking lot provides a safe area for visitors away from vehicular traffic. Public safety will be improved with the installation of security lighting.

iv. Effects that would violate Federal, State, Tribal, or local laws protecting the environment

The selected alternative does not violate any relevant Federal, State, local, or Tribal laws or requirement imposed for the protection of the environment. Federal, State, local, and Tribal interests were given the opportunity to participate in the environmental analysis process during the public involvement opportunities described in Section 4.1 of the attached EA.

APPROVAL:

Anthony Bobo, Acting District Manager Date

ANTHONY BOBO Digitally signed by ANTHONY BOBO Date: 2023.09.25 11:17:07 -04'00'

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Attachment:

1. Environmental Assessment for Multipurpose Pavilion Utilities and Parking Lot

(DOI-BLM-Eastern States-M000-2022-0012-EA)