Draft terrestrial resources biological assessment
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- Table 5-7: Related Projects in the Rogue Valley MPO 2009-2034 RTP Project
- Central Point
- Jackson County
5.5 Cumulative EffectsCumulative effects are defined as the effects of future federal, state, local, or private activities that are reasonably certain to occur in the action area (50 C.F.R. ยง 402.02) or in proximity such that project impacts could affect the action area. Given the location of the proposed action, future transportation infrastructure, residential development, and commercial development will occur in the project area. Table 5-7 lists planned transportation projects identified for analysis of cumulative project effects.
The projects listed above, in conjunction with anticipated growth in the region, will likely result in a slight increase in real population numbers and urban and residential development within the project action area. Such growth will likely result in the conversion of pervious surface area to impervious surfaces, increasing stormwater runoff and its associated impacts to adjacent VPCs. As stated under Section 2.6, impacts from project related development and changes to existing land use within the surrounding region are expected to be minimal. Small scale commercial development (mostly as in-fill and small retail stores) and residential development around Medford, White City, Eagle Point, Shady Cove and outlying rural areas is anticipated to occur. The JTA design options would have the potential to indirectly convert land to a non-farm use through greater access. While implementation of the Project may increase the speed at which full build out of the area occurs, the extent of development is not anticipated to change. However, any future development projects in these communities would be proposed independent of the proposed Build Alternative. As such, these independent developments would be subject to individual regulatory agency review, permitting, and mitigation requirements. Existing habitats within the project action area for terrestrial species are already severely degraded. The overall condition of habitats reflects the intense land use practices of the past and the increasing development pressures of the present. Projects that are a part of any surge of private development that could follow this and other proposed ODOT transportation network improvement projects within the Medford and White City areas may increase potential losses of terrestrial resources. Given the current regulatory environment, future development in critical habitat for vernal pool fairy shrimp and other listed or sensitive species would likely be restricted and tightly controlled. Habitat mitigation or restoration requirements would play a major role in future land development activities. The anticipated mitigation requirements for future projects would reduce future impacts. Therefore, the long-term cumulative impacts of this project are primarily related to direct impacts to existing terrestrial habitats and the continued degradation of such habitats. Because the vernal pool fairy shrimp are endemic to vernal pools in Jackson County, Oregon, it is anticipated that activities that include urban, water, flood control, highway, and utility projects, chemical contaminants, as well as conversion of vernal pools to agricultural use will continue through changes of land use through development actions. Many of these activities will be reviewed under section 7 of the Act as a result of the Federal nexus provided by section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (Clean Water Act). The Service is currently unaware of any State, local, or private actions which, when considered in conjunction with the known environmental baseline for these species, would likely preclude the survival and recovery of the fairy shrimp (USFWS 2011). Directory: HWY62 -> Terrestrial BA Terrestrial BA -> Draft Terrestrial Resources Biological Assessment oregon highway 62 corridor solutions project Download 486.24 Kb. Share with your friends:
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