Appendix G, Air Quality Analysis · 2016-01-26 · City/Parish Project No. 12-CS-HC-0017 State...

Appendix GAir Quality Analysis

FINAL REPORT

Hooper Road (LA 408) Project from Blackwater Road to Sullivan Road

City/Parish Project No. 12-CS-HC-0017 State Project No. H.002316/H.002317

Air Quality Analysis

Prepared for:

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

June 2015

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Table of Contents

Section1 Introduction................................................................................................................................1‐1

1.1ProjectDesciption......................................................................................................................................................1‐1 1.2TrafficVolumesintheStudyArea.......................................................................................................................1‐2

Section2 RegulatoryFramework...........................................................................................................2‐1

2.1CriteriaPollutants......................................................................................................................................................2‐1 CarbonMonoxide.......................................................................................................................................................2‐1 Lead..................................................................................................................................................................................2‐1 NitrogenDioxide........................................................................................................................................................2‐1 Ozone...............................................................................................................................................................................2‐2 ParticulateMatter......................................................................................................................................................2‐2 SulfurDioxide..............................................................................................................................................................2‐3

2.2NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards..........................................................................................................2‐3 2.3AttainmentStatus.......................................................................................................................................................2‐3 2.4TransportationConformity....................................................................................................................................2‐5 2.5AirToxics........................................................................................................................................................................2‐6

Section3 ImpactAnalysis..........................................................................................................................3‐1

3.1VehicleEmissions.......................................................................................................................................................3‐1 3.1.1CriteriaPollutants..........................................................................................................................................3‐1

CarbonMonoxide...........................................................................................................................................3‐1 Ozone,VolatileOrganicCompounds,andNitrogenDioxide.......................................................3‐1 ParticulateMatterandSulfurDioxide...................................................................................................3‐2 Lead......................................................................................................................................................................3‐2 HooperRoadEmissions...............................................................................................................................3‐2

3.1.2MobileSourceAirToxics.............................................................................................................................3‐2 3.2ConstructionEmissions...........................................................................................................................................3‐4

Section4 Conclusions..................................................................................................................................4‐1

Section5 References...................................................................................................................................5‐1

List of Tables

Table1‐1AnnualAverageDailyTrafficintheStudyArea..............................................................................................1‐2 Table2‐1NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards............................................................................................................2‐4 Table2‐2Ambient(Background)AirQualityData.............................................................................................................2‐5 Table3‐1EstimatedDailyVehicleMilesTraveled..............................................................................................................3‐3

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

µg/m3 microgramspercubicmeter

AADT annualaveragedailytraffic

CAA CleanAirAct

CFR CodeofFederalRegulations

CO carbonmonoxide

CRPC CapitalRegionPlanningCommission

DOTD LouisianaDepartmentofTransportationandDevelopment

EIS environmentalimpactstatement

EPA UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency

FHWA FederalHighwayAdministration

FR FederalRegister

FTA FederalTransitAdministration

LDEQ LouisianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality

LOS LevelofService

mg/m3 milligramspercubicmeter

MPO MetropolitanPlanningOrganization

MSAT mobilesourceairtoxics

N/A notapplicable

NAAQS NationalAmbientAirQualityStandard

NEPA NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct

NO2 nitrogendioxide

NOx nitrogenoxides

O3 ozone

Pb lead

PM particulatematter

PM10 inhalableparticulatematter

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PM2.5 fineparticulatematter

ppb partsperbillion

ppm partspermillion

SIP StateImplementationPlan

SO2 sulfurdioxide

TIP TransportationImprovementPlan

USC UnitedStatesCode

VMT vehiclemilestraveled

VOC volatileorganiccompound

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Section 1

Introduction

TheproposedHooperRoad(LA408)ProjectbetweenBlackwaterRoadandSullivanRoadisdescribedbelow.Subsequentsectionsdiscusstheapplicableregulationsandairqualityimpactanalysisfortheproposedproject.

1.1 Project Desciption TheHooperRoad(LA408)ProjectbetweenBlackwaterRoadandSullivanRoadislocatedinCentral,LouisianainEastBatonRougeParish.Thesegmentfrom2,800feettotheeastofBlackwaterRoadtojustwestofSullivanRoadiscurrentlyatwo‐laneroadway,whileHooperRoadtotheeastandwestofthissegmentisafour‐lanedividedroadway.Thegoaloftheprojectistoprovideanadditionalthrough‐trafficlaneineachdirectionandaraisedmediantoincreasecapacityandtoimprovesafety.HooperRoadisastatehighwayandissubjecttoLouisianaDepartmentofTransportationandDevelopment(DOTD)designrequirements.TheprojectisincludedintheEastBatonRougeParishGreenLightPlan.

Theproposedprojecthasfivealternatives:

AlternativeA–NorthWidening.ThisalternativewillwidenHooperRoadtothenorth.

AlternativeB–SouthWidening.ThisalternativewillwidentheHooperRoadtothesouth.

AlternativeC–CenteredRebuild.Thisalternativewillusetheexistingcenterlineandwillwidentothenorthandsouth.

AlternativeD–Hybrid(combinationofAlternativesAandC)withsidepaths.

AlternativeE–Hybrid(combinationofAlternativesAandC)withoutsidepaths.

Allalternativeswillupgradeand/orreplacetheexistingroadway,wherenecessary.30‐footand16‐footraisedmedianoptionsarebeingconsideredforAlternativesAthroughC.A16‐footmedianisincludedinAlternativesDandE.Acurbandgutterroadwaywithsidewalks,sewers,andsubsurfacedrainageimprovementsareproposed.

ThePreferredAlternative,AlternativeE,isacombinationofelementsfoundinAlternativesAandC.BetweenBlackwaterRoadandJoorRoad,theproposedprojectwouldwidensymmetricallytothenorthandsouthfromtheexistingcenterline,similartoAlternativeC.BetweenJoorRoadandShoeCreekDrive,theproposedprojectwouldhaveanorthernoffset,similartoAlternativeA.EastofShoeCreekDrivewouldalsowidensymmetricallyfromtheexistingcenterline,likeAlternativeC.A16‐feetwideraisedmedianoptionisincludedinthisPreferredAlternative.PotentialnoiseimpactsfromthePreferredAlternativearediscussedbasedontheanalysisconductedforthe30‐footmedianoptionforAlternativesA,B,andC.AlternativeDwouldhavethesameroadwayalignmentasAlternativeE.

Section 1 Introduction

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1.2 Traffic Volumes in the Study Area Theexisting(2013)anddesignyear(2037)annualaveragedailytraffic(AADT)volumesinthestudyareaareshowninTable1‐1.ThehighesttrafficvolumeonHooperRoadinthestudyareaoccursneartheSullivanRoadintersection,accordingtofieldobservations;Table1‐1showsthetrafficvolumesonHooperRoadtothewestofSullivanRoad.Trafficvolumeisexpectedtogrowover160percentfromexistinglevelsto2037.ThissectionofHooperRoadhasaLevelofService(LOS)ofE,whichischaracterizedbyunstableoperationandsignificantdelay.Althoughatprojectcompletion(2017)theLOSisexpectedtoimprovetoC/D,by2037theLOSisexpectedtobeEbecauseofregionalvehiclevolumeincrease.

Table 1‐1 Annual Average Daily Traffic in the Study Area

Roadway Segment Existing (2013) AADT

Design Year (2037)

AADT % Change

from No Build

Hooper Road (West of Sullivan Road) 15,483 24,903 161%

Source: CDM Smith, 2014. .

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Section 2

Regulatory Framework

Airqualitymanagementandprotectionresponsibilitiesexistinfederal,state,andlocallevelsofgovernment.ThefederalCleanAirAct(CAA)istheprimarystatuethatestablishesambientairqualitystandardsandestablishesregulatoryauthoritiestoenforceregulationsdesignedtoattainthosestandards.TheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)isresponsibleforimplementationoftheCAA.TheCAAwasenactedin1955andwasamendedin1963,1965,1967,1970,1977,1990,and1997.LouisianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(LDEQ)operatestheairqualitymonitoringprogram,implementsthepermitprogram,andworkswithMetropolitanPlanningOrganizations(MPOs)andtheDOTDfortransportationplanning.

2.1 Criteria Pollutants EPAregulatessevencommonpollutantscalledcriteriapollutants.Theyincludecarbonmonoxide(CO),lead(Pb),nitrogendioxide(NO2),ozone(O3),inhalableparticulatematter(PM10),fineparticulatematter(PM2.5),andsulfurdioxide(SO2).Eachpollutantisdescribedbelow.

Carbon Monoxide COisacolorless,odorlessgasthatishighlytoxic.Itisformedbytheincompletecombustionoffuels.InEastBatonRougeParish,over75percentofCOemissionsoccurfrommobilesources(EPA2014a).ExposuretoCOcanreducethebody’sabilitytocarryoxygen.COexposurecancausepeoplewithseveraltypesofheartdiseasetoexperiencechestpain(angina)whenexercisingorunderincreasedstress.ExtremelyhighlevelsofCOcancausedeath(EPA2012c).

Lead Leadisasoftandchemicallyresistantmetalthatisnaturallyfoundintheenvironment.Ithashistoricallybeenfoundinmotorvehiclesandindustrialsources,whichleadtotheEPA’seffortstoremovePbfromgasolinein1980andbeyond.TheaviationsectorcontinuestobeamajorsourceofPbemissionsfrompistonaircraft,asarecertainindustrialsectorslikeoreandmetalsprocessing(EPA2012b).EmissionsofPbfromthestudyareaareminimal(EPA2014a).

InadditiontoPbexposurethroughair,Pbcanalsoaccumulateinsoilsandothersediments,especiallyinurbanenvironmentswhereitwouldhaveaccumulatedfromyearsofexposurefromleadedgasoline.Leadexposurecanadverselyaffectthenervoussystem,kidneyfunction,immunesystem,reproductiveanddevelopmentsystems,andthecardiovascularsystem.Leadexposuremayalsocontributetobehavioralproblems,learningdeficits,andloweredIQininfantsandyoungchildren(EPA2012a).

Nitrogen Dioxide NO2isareddish‐browntodarkbrownreactivegasthatisformedduringhigh‐temperaturecombustionprocesses,suchasthoseoccurringinenginesandpowerplants.ThesumofnitricoxideandNO2iscommonlycallednitrogenoxides(NOx),butotheroxideslikenitrousoxideandnitricacidarealsoclassifiedasNOx.Mobilesources(46percent)andfuelcombustion(35percent)arethemainsourcesofNOxinEastBatonRougeParish(EPA2014a).

Section 2 Regulatory Framework

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ExposuretoNO2cancauseadverserespiratoryeffectsincludingairwayinflammation.NOxcanreactwithammonia,moisture,andothercompoundstoformsmallparticlesthatcanlodgedeeplyintosensitivepartsofthelungs.Thisactioncancauseorworsenrespiratorydiseaselikeemphysemaandbronchitisorcanaggregativeexistingheartdisease(EPA2013a).

Ozone O3isahighlyreactiveandunstablegasthatisformedintheatmospherethroughcomplexreactionswithsunlight,NOx,andvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs).Hot,sunny,andcalmdayspromoteO3formation.TheEPAregulatesground‐levelO3,whichisnottobeconfusedwithstratosphericO3.Ground‐levelO3isclosetowherepeoplelive,breathe,andexerciseandcancauseadversehealtheffects;stratosphericO3ishighintheatmosphereandreducestheamountofultravioletlightenteringtheearth’satmosphere,whichactuallyhelpsprotectanimalandplantlife.

CertainpeopleareparticularlysensitivetotheeffectsofO3includingpeoplewithlungdisease,children,olderadults,andactivepeople.Generally,asO3concentrationsincrease,boththenumberofpeopleaffectedandtheseriousnessofthehealtheffectsincrease.Theeffectsofexposuretoground‐levelO3includecough,chesttightness,andpainupontakingadeepbreath;worseningofwheezingandotherasthmasymptoms;reducedlungfunction;andincreasehospitalizationsforrespiratorycauses.

O3alsohasdetrimentaleffectsontheenvironment.O3exposurecandamagecellsandleaftissue,reducingplants’abilitytophotosynthesizeandproducefood.Plantswillgrowmoreleavesinanattempttoproducemorefood,butthisresponsehastheneteffectofmakingplantsmoresusceptiblefordisease,pests,cold,anddrought.O3canalsodamagematerialslikerubber,plastics,fabrics,paintandmetals(EPA2003;EPA2009).Onlyabout14percentofEastBatonRougeParish’sVOCemissionscomefrommobilesources(EPA2014a).

Particulate Matter Particulatematter(PM)consistsofsolidandliquidparticlesofdust,soot,aerosols,andothermattersmallenoughtoremainsuspendedintheairforalongperiodoftime.PMisdividedintotwosizeclassesofparticles:particlesupto10microns1(PM10)andparticlesupto2.5microns(PM2.5).Toplacethesizesinperspective,ahumanhairisapproximately60micronsindiameter,whichmakesitsixtimeslargerthanthelargestcoarseparticleandover20timeslargerthanthelargestfineparticle.

Primaryparticlesarethosethataredirectlyemittedfromasource,suchasconstructionsites,unpavedroads,fields,smokestacks,orfires.BurningfuelsprimarilyproducesPM2.5,whileothersourceslikewindblowndustcontributetoPM10emissions.SecondaryformationofPM2.5canoccurfromcomplexreactionsintheatmosphereofpollutantslikeNOx,sulfuroxides,VOCs,andammonia.MostofthePM2.5pollutionintheUnitedStatesoccursfromthesesecondaryreactionsasopposedtodirect(primary)emissions.MorethanhalfofPM10inEastBatonRougeParishisattributedtodust.MainsourcesofPM2.5inEastBatonRougeParishareindustrialprocessesandfuelcombustion(EPA2014a).

Particlessmallerthan10microns(i.e.,PM10andPM2.5)representthatportionofPMthoughttorepresentthegreatesthazardtopublichealthbecausetheycanbecomedeeplyembeddedinsomeone’slungs.Thiscanleadtoadversehealtheffectsincludingprematuredeathinpeoplewith

1Amicronisaunitofmeasurementthatisone‐millionthofameter.Ameterisslightlylargerthan3feet.


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heartorlungdisease,nonfatalheartattacks,irregularheartbeat,aggravatedasthma,decreasedlungfunction,andincreasedrespiratorysymptoms(e.g.,irritationoftheairways,coughing,ordifficultybreathing).Asidefromadversehealtheffects,PM2.5isprimarilyresponsibleforreducedvisibility(haze)intheUnitedStates.PMcanalsocauseaestheticdamagebystainingordamagingstoneandothermaterials(EPA2013c;EPA2014b).

Sulfur Dioxide SO2isformedwhenlocomotives,ships,andnon‐roaddieselequipmentburnsulfur‐containingfuel.Certainindustrialprocesses,suchaspetroleumrefiningandmetalprocessing,alsocontributetoSO2emissions.IndustrialprocessesaccountformostemissionsofSO2inEastBatonRougeParish(EPA2014a).HealtheffectsofSO2exposureincludingbronchoconstrictionandincreasedasthmasymptoms.SO2canalsoreactwithothercompoundsintheatmospheretoformsmallparticles.Exposuretotheresultingparticlescanaggravateexistingheartdisease,leadingtoincreasedhospitaladmissionsandprematuredeath(EPA2013c).

2.2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards UnderauthorityoftheCAA,EPAestablishedtheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)forCO,Pb,NO2,O3,PM10,PM2.5,andSO2.Table2‐1presentsthecurrentNAAQSforthecriteriapollutants.ThefederalCAArequiresstatestoclassifyairqualitycontrolregions(orportionsthereof)aseitherattainmentornonattainmentwithrespecttocriteriaairpollutants,basedonwhethertheNAAQShavebeenachieved.

2.3 Attainment Status AreasthatexceedtheNAAQSaredesignatedasnonattainment.AreasthatpreviouslyexceededtheNAAQS,buthavesinceattainedthestandard,arecalledmaintenanceareas.StatesarealsorequiredtoprepareStateImplementationPlans(SIPs)containingemissionreductionstrategiestomaintaintheNAAQSforthoseareasdesignatedasmaintenanceandtoattaintheNAAQSforthoseareasdesignatedasnonattainment.

Certainpollutants,namelyO3andPM10,arefurthersubdividedbasedonhowcloseanareaistoachievingtheNAAQS.ThepossibleclassificationsfortheO3NAAQSaremarginal,moderate,serious,severe,orextreme.AreaswithworseclassificationsaregivenmoretimetoattaintheNAAQSthanareaswithbetterairquality.Forexample,anareaclassifiedasanextremenonattainmentareahasanattainmentdateofDecember31,2032(20yearsfromthedateofdesignation),whileanareaclassifiedasamarginalnonattainmentareahasuntilDecember31,2015toattaintheNAAQS(77FederalRegister[FR]30160).ThepossibleclassificationsforthePM10NAAQSaremoderateandserious.Section188oftheCAA(42UnitedStatesCode[USC]7513)statesthatallareasdesignatednonattainmentforthePM10NAAQSaretobeinitiallyclassifiedasmoderate;however,anareacanbereclassifiedasseriousiftheEPAdeterminesthattheareacannotpracticablyattainthestandardbytheattainmentdate.


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Table 2‐1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Averaging Time NAAQS Primary

NAAQS Secondary

Violation Criteria

CO

1 Hour 35 ppm (40 mg/m3)

N/A Not to be exceeded more than once per year

8 Hour 9 ppm (10 mg/m3)

NO2

1 Hour 100 ppb (188 µg/m3)

N/A 98th percentile of 1‐hour daily maximum concentrations, averaged over three years

Annual 53 ppb (100 µg/m

3) Same as Primary Standard

Annual mean

O3 8 Hour (2008) 0.075 ppm (147 µg/m

3) Same as Primary Standard

Annual fourth‐highest daily maximum 8‐hour concentration, averaged over three years

Pb Rolling 3‐Month Average

0.15 µg/m3

Same as Primary Standard

Not to be exceeded

PM10 24 Hour 150 µg/m3 Same as Primary Standard

Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over three years

PM2.5 24 Hour 35 µg/m3

Same as Primary Standard

98th percentile, averaged over three years

Annual 12 µg/m3 12 µg/m3 Annual mean, averaged over three years

SO2

1 Hour 75 ppb (196 µg/m3)

N/A 99th percentile of 1‐hour daily maximum concentrations, averaged over three years

3 Hour N/A 0.5 ppm(1,300 µg/m3)

Not to be exceeded more than once per year

24 Hour 0.14 ppm (366 µg/m3) (1)

N/A

Not to be exceeded more than once per year

Annual 0.030 ppm (79 µg/m

3) (1) Annual mean

Source: EPA 2012d; 40 CFR 50. Notes: (1) On June 22, 2010, the 24‐hour and annual primary SO2 NAAQS were revoked (75 Federal Register [FR] 35520). The 1971 SO2 NAAQS (0.14

parts per million [ppm] and 0.030 ppm for 24‐hour and annual averaging periods) remain in effect until one year after an area is designated for the 2010 1‐hour primary standard. EPA has designated parts of 16 states as nonattainment based on 2009‐2011 monitoring data, effective October 4, 2013, but deferred action on all other areas (78 FR 47191). LDEQ recommended to EPA on May 26, 2011 that East Baton Rouge Parish be designated as in attainment (LDEQ 2011). EPA has not designated attainment status for East Baton Rouge Parish. Key: µg/m

3 = micrograms per cubic meter; CO = carbon monoxide; mg/m

3 = milligrams per cubic meter; N/A = not applicable; NAAQS = National

Ambient Air Quality Standard; NO2 = nitrogen dioxide; O3 = ozone; Pb = lead; PM10 = inhalable particulate matter; PM2.5 = fine particulate matter; ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million; SO2 = sulfur dioxide

ThestudyareaiswithinEastBatonRougeParish,whichisinattainmentofCO,NO2,SO2,PM10,PM2.5andPb(EPA2013e).TheParishwasdesignatedasinmarginalnonattainmentofthe20088‐hourO3standard,effectiveJuly20,2012,andisrequiredtoattainthestandardbyDecember31,2015.Theprevious19978‐hourO3standardwasrevokedayearafterthe20088‐hourozonedesignationsbecameeffective.However,maintenanceobligationsremaininplace(70FR44470).EastBatonRougeParishwasredesignatedasinattainmentofthe19978‐hourO3standard,effectiveDecember30,2011,andtheareahasanEPAapprovedmaintenanceplanthrough2022.

CriteriaairpollutantsaremonitoredatfivestationsinEastBatonRougeParish.Themostrecentthreeyearsofavailabledata(2011‐2013)fromtheBatonRouge‐Capitolstation(SiteID220330009;1061‐ALeesvilleAvenue,BatonRouge,LA)aresummarizedinTable2‐2.


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Table 2‐2 Ambient (Background) Air Quality Data

Pollutant (1) NAAQS 2011 2012 2013 Design Value (2011‐2013)

CO

Maximum 1‐hour concentration (ppm) 35 1.8 2.2 2.1 N/A

Maximum 8‐hour concentration (ppm) 9 1.5 1.9 2 N/A

Number of days exceeding 1‐hour standard 0 0 0


Pb (2)

Maximum 24‐hour concentration (µg/m3) ‐‐ 0.003 0.009 0.005 ‐‐

NO2

98th percentile 1‐hour concentration (ppb) 100 56 51 48 52


O3

4th high 8‐hour concentration (ppm) 0.075 0.080 0.072 0.066 0.073

Number of days exceeding 2008 8‐hour standard 5 2 0

PM10

Maximum 24‐hour concentration (µg/m3) 150 74 76 81 N/A


PM2.5

98th percentile 24‐hour concentration (µg/m3) 35 23 22 20 22

Annual mean (µg/m3) 15 10.1 9.8 8.4 9.4


SO2 (3)

99th percentile 1‐hour concentration (ppb) 75 31 32 21 28

24‐hour concentration (ppb) 140 17 37 48 ‐‐



Source: EPA 2013d. Notes: (1) An exceedance is not necessarily a violation. Violations are defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 50. Data from 1061‐A Leesville

Ave, Baton Rouge, LA (Site ID 220330009). (2) 3‐month average statistics were not available from the EPA.

(3) 3‐hour and annual average SO2 concentrations were not available from EPA.

Key:

‐‐ = There was insufficient (or no) data available to determine this value; µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter; CO = carbon monoxide; N/A =

not applicable; NAAQS = National Ambient Air Quality Standard; NO2 = nitrogen dioxide; O3 = ozone; Pb = lead; PM10 = inhalable particulate

matter; PM2.5 = fine particulate matter; ppm = parts per million; SO2 = sulfur dioxide

2.4 Transportation Conformity Approval,funding,orimplementationofFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)andFederalTransitAdministration(FTA)projectsissubjecttothetransportationconformityregulationsundertheCAA


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(40CodeofFederalRegulations[CFR]93SubpartA).Eachmetropolitanplanningareaisrequiredtodevelopanofficialmetropolitantransportationplanpursuantto23CFRPart450.Ifapotentialprojectisincludedinatransportationplanandtransportationimprovementprogram(TIP)thatconformtotheSIPandtheCAAanditsamendments,thentheprojectisalreadyincludedintheemissionbudgetsdevelopedfortheregion.Thus,aunique,regionalanalysisofprojectemissionswouldnotberequired;however,analysisregardingpossiblelocalizedimpactsisstillrequired.TheMPO,ortheCapitalRegionPlanningCommission(CRPC),inthestudyarea,isresponsiblefortransportationplanninganddeterminingregionalconformity.

InorderforaFHWA/FTAprojecttobefoundtoconform,regardlessofwhetheritisinaconformingtransportationplanorTIPornot,thefollowingcriteriaandproceduresmustbefollowed:

§93.110–Theconformitydeterminationmustbebaseduponthemostrecentplanningassumptionsinforceatthetimetheconformityanalysisbegins.

§93.111–Theconformitydeterminationmustbebasedonthelatestemissionestimationmodelavailable.

§93.112–Conformitymustbedeterminedaccordingtotheconsultationproceduresin40CFR93SubpartA.

§93.114–TheremustbeacurrentlyconformingtransportationplanandcurrentlyconformingTIPatthetimeofprojectapproval.

§93.116–TheprojectmustnotcauseorcontributetoanynewlocalizedCO,PM10,and/orPM2.5violationsorincreasethefrequencyofseverityofanyexistingCO,PM10,andPM2.5violations.

§93.117–TheprojectmustcomplywithanyPM10andPM2.5controlmeasuresintheapplicableSIP.

Transportationconformityappliestononattainmentandmaintenanceareas.Becausethestudyareaisinmaintenanceforthe19978‐hourO3standardandisdesignatedasnonattainmentofthe2008O3standard,transportationconformityregulationsapply.However,the1997O3NAAQSwasrevokedfortransportationconformitypurposesayearaftertheeffectivedateofdesignationsforthe2008O3NAAQS.AsofJuly20,2013,transportationconformityrequirementsdonotapplytothe1997O3NAAQS(77FR30160).

TheprojectisincludedintheAirQualityConformityAnalysisoftheMetropolitanTransportationPlan2037andTransportationImprovementProgram2013‐2017fortheBatonRougeOzoneNon‐AttainmentArea(CRPC2013).ThisdocumentwasapprovedbyEPAonJuly12,2013andbyFHWAonJuly17,2013.Theprojectwouldonlyneedtoconsiderlocalizedproject‐levelimpacts.

2.5 Air Toxics InadditiontothecriteriaairpollutantsforwhichthereareNAAQS,EPAalsoregulatesairtoxics.Mostairtoxicsoriginatefromhuman‐madesources,includingon‐roadmobilesources(e.g.,carsandtrucks),non‐roadmobilesources(e.g.,airplanesandconstructionequipment),areasources(e.g.,drycleaners)andstationarysources(e.g.,factories,refineries,andpowerplants).EPAhasalsorecognizedemissionsofairtoxicsfrommobilesourcesasapotentialenvironmentalandhealthconcern.TheinterimguidancereleasedbyFHWAdatedFebruary2007requiresdiscussionofMobileSourceAir


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Toxics(MSATs)inNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)documents.TheguidancewasupdatedinSeptember2009andDecember2012.

ThecurrentguidanceonMSATsisFHWA’sInterimGuidanceUpdateonAirToxicAnalysisinNEPADocuments,releasedonDecember6,2012.ThisguidanceadvisesonwhenandhowtoanalyzeMSATsintheNEPAprocessforhighwayprojects.ThisguidanceisinterimbecauseMSATscienceisstillevolving.Currently,therearelimitationsontoolsandtechniquesforevaluatingpotentialproject‐levelhealthrisksfromMSATexposure.FHWAregularlyupdatestheguidancebasedonnewscientificdata.

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Section 3

Impact Analysis

Impactsoftheproposedprojecttotheairqualityinthestudyareaarediscussedinthissection.

3.1 Vehicle Emissions Theimpactresultingfromanewtransportationprojectrangesfromintensifyingexistingairpollutionproblemstoimprovingtheambientairquality.Changingtrafficpatternsareaprimaryconcernwhendeterminingtheimpactofanewroadwayoranexistinghighwayfacility.

3.1.1 Criteria Pollutants MotorvehiclesemitCO,NOx,VOC,PM10,PM2.5,SO2,andPb(listedinorderofdecreasingemissionrate).Emissionsofcriteriapollutantsasaresultoftheimplementationoftheprojectarediscussedbelow.

Carbon Monoxide

MotorvehiclesareconsideredamainsourceofCOinthestudyarea(EPA2014a).COlevelsmeasuredinEastBatonRougeParisharewellbelowtheNAAQS,andthisprojectisnotexpectedtoproduceaprojectedviolationoftheCONAAQS.

ProjectsinattainmentareaswouldstillberequiredtoconductaCOhotspotanalysisiftheprojectisexpectedtoadverselyaffectintersectionsthatareatLOSD,E,orForthosethatwouldchangetheLOSofanintersectiontoD,E,orFduetoincreasedtrafficvolumesrelatedtotheproject(40CFR93.123).AlthoughtheprojectaffectsintersectionswithacurrentLOSofE,theprojectisdesignedtoincreasecapacitytoaccommodatefuturegrowthinregionaltrafficvolume.Theproposedactionisnotanticipatedtoincreasetrafficvolumesorcauseadverseimpactsonintersectionsandlocalairquality;therefore,noadditionalproject‐levelanalysisisrequired.

Ozone, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Nitrogen Dioxide

MotorvehiclesareregardedascommonsourcesofVOCandNOx.VOCandNOxemittedfromvehiclesarecarriedintotheatmospherewheretheyreactwithsunlighttoformO3andNO2.AutomotiveemissionsofVOCandNOxareexpectedtodecreaseinthefuturebecauseofthecontinuedinstallationandmaintenanceofpollutioncontroldevicesonnewcars.However,regardingarea‐wideemissions,thesetechnologicalimprovementsmaybeoffsetbytheincreasingnumberofcarsinthearea.

ThephotochemicalreactionsthatformO3andNO2requireseveralhourstooccur.Forthisreason,thepeaklevelsofO3generallyoccurtentotwentykilometers(approximately6to12miles)downwindofthesourceofVOCemissions.UrbanareasasawholeareregardedassourcesofVOC,notindividualstreetsandhighways.Theemissionsofallsourcesinanurbanareamixintheatmosphere,and,inthepresenceofsunlight,thismixturereactstoformO3,NO2,andotherphotochemicaloxidants.TheprojectislocatedinamarginalnonattainmentareaforO3.ThisprojectisnotexpectedtocauseadverseimpactonO3orNO2concentrations.

Section 3 Impact Analysis

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Particulate Matter and Sulfur Dioxide

MotorvehiclesarenotregardedassignificantsourcesofPM10,PM2.5,andSO2.Nationwide,highwaysourcesaccountforlessthan7percentofPMemissionsandlessthan2percentofSO2emissions.PM10,PM2.5,andSO2emissionsarepredominantlytheresultofnon‐highwaysources(e.g.,industrial,commercial,andagricultural).BecauseemissionsofPM10,PM2.5,andSO2fromautomobilesareverylowandcurrentmonitoredlevelsarewellbelowtheNAAQS,thetrafficontheprojectwillnotcauseairqualitystandardsforPM10,PM2.5,andSO2toexceedtheNAAQS.

Projectsthathaveasignificantnumberofdieselvehicles,areanticipatedtosignificantlyincreasethenumberofdieselvehicles,areanticipatedtoaffectintersectionsthatareLOSD,E,orF,orareanticipatedtochangetheLOSofanintersectiontoD,E,orFarerequiredtoconductahotspotanalysis(40CFR93.123).ProjectsthatinvolvebusandrailterminalsandfacilitieswithAADTgreaterthan125,000,where8percentormoreofthatAADTisdieseltrucks,areoftensubjecttothisrequirementduetoanincreaseindieseluse(71FR12468).AninteragencyconsultationprocesswouldbeneededtodetermineifaprojectwouldrequirePM10andPM2.5hot‐spotanalyses.TheprojectisnotinanonattainmentareaforPM2.5andisnotexpectedtocauseasignificantincreaseinthenumberofdieselvehicles.Therefore,aPM2.5hotspotanalysisisnotrequired.

Lead

Automobileswithoutcatalyticconverterscanburnregulargasoline.TheburningofregulargasolineemitsPbasaresultofregulargasolinecontainingtetraethyllead,whichisaddedbyrefineriestoincreasetheoctaneratingofthefuel.Carswithcatalyticconvertersburnunleadedgasoline,therebyeliminatingPbemissions.Also,theEPAhasrequiredthereductioninthePbcontentofleadedgasoline.TheoverallaveragePbcontentofgasolinein1974wasapproximately0.53gramperliter.By1989,thiscompositeaveragehaddroppedto0.003gramsperliter.TheCAAAmendmentsof1990madethesale,supply,ortransportofleadedgasolineorPbadditivesunlawfulafterDecember31,1995.Becauseofthesereasons,itisnotexpectedthattrafficontheproposedprojectwillcausetheNAAQSforPbtobeexceeded.

Hooper Road Emissions

NEPArequiresprojectemissionstobecomparedtothefutureNo‐Buildconditions(i.e.2037emissionswithouttheproject).FuturetrafficvolumeonHooperRoadisexpectedtobesimilarwithorwithouttheproject.Withouttheproject,HooperRoadwouldexperiencemorecongestionandlocalizedemissionsfromidlingvehicles.ComparedtotheNo‐Buildcondition,theBuildconditionemissionsareanticipatedtobesimilarorless.

3.1.2 Mobile Source Air Toxics Motorvehiclescontributesignificantlytoemissionsofacrolein,benzene,1,3‐butadiene,dieselPM(includingdieselexhaustorganicgases),formaldehyde,naphthaleneandpolycyclicorganicmatter.Ofthesecompounds,FHWAconsidersdieselPMasthedominantMSATofconcern.

TheFHWAhasdevelopedatieredapproachforanalyzingMSATsinNEPAdocuments,dependingonthespecificprojectcircumstances:

NoanalysisforprojectswithnopotentialformeaningfulMSATeffects;

QualitativeanalysisforprojectswithlowpotentialMSATeffects;or


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QuantitativeanalysistodifferentiatealternativesforprojectswithhigherpotentialMSATeffects.

Theproposedprojectinvolveswideningofastatehighway.AsshowninTable1‐1,thedesignyearAADTfortheproposedconnectionisprojectedtobelessthan140,000to150,000vehiclesperday,whichistheFHWAcriterionforaqualitativeanalysis;theprojectisexpectedtohavelowpotentialMSATeffects.

Vehiclemixisnotanticipatedtochangeduetothisproject;therefore,MSATsemittedwouldbeproportionaltothevehiclemilestraveled(VMT).Table3‐1showstheestimateddailyVMTforthisproject.Also,speedmayincreaseduetoadditionalcapacity,increasingtheefficiencyofthetransportationnetwork.

Table 3‐1 Estimated Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled

Existing (2013) Design Year (2037)

Project VMT (miles) 43,106 69,332

Note: VMT calculated based on corridor length (14,700 ft) and AADT presented in Table 1‐1.

EmissionswilllikelybelowerthanpresentlevelsinthedesignyearasaresultofEPA’snationalcontrolprogramsthatareprojectedtoreduceannualMSATemissionsbyover80percentfrom2010to2050.Localconditionsmaydifferfromthesenationalprojectionsintermsoffleetmixandturnover,VMTgrowthrates,andlocalcontrolmeasures.However,themagnitudeoftheEPA‐projectedreductionsissogreat,evenafteraccountingforVMTgrowth,thatMSATemissionsinthestudyareaarelikelytobelowerinthefutureinvirtuallyalllocations.

MSATscienceisstillevolvingandtheavailabletechnicaltoolsdonotenabletheEPAtopredicttheproject‐specifichealthimpactsoftheemissionchangesassociatedwiththealternativeevaluatedintheEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS).Duetotheselimitations,thefollowingdiscussionisincludedinaccordancewithCEQregulations(40CFR1502.22)regardingincompleteorunavailableinformation.

InFHWA'sview,informationisincompleteorunavailabletocrediblypredicttheproject‐specifichealthimpactsduetochangesinMSATemissionsassociatedwithaproposedsetofhighwayalternatives.Theoutcomeofsuchanassessment,adverseornot,wouldbeinfluencedmorebytheuncertaintyintroducedintotheprocessthroughassumptionandspeculation,ratherthananygenuineinsightintotheactualhealthimpactsdirectlyattributabletoMSATexposureassociatedwithaproposedaction.

TheEPAisresponsibleforprotectingthepublichealthandwelfarefromanyknownoranticipatedeffectofanairpollutant.TheEPAisinthecontinualprocessofassessinghumanhealtheffects,exposures,andrisksposedbyairpollutants.OtherorganizationsarealsoactiveintheresearchandanalysesofthehumanhealtheffectsofMSAT,includingtheHealthEffectsInstitute.

Themethodologiesforforecastinghealthimpactsincludeemissionsmodeling;dispersionmodeling;exposuremodeling;andthenfinaldeterminationofhealthimpacts‐‐eachstepintheprocessbuildingonthemodelpredictionsobtainedinthepreviousstep.AllareencumberedbytechnicalshortcomingsoruncertainsciencethatpreventsamorecompletedifferentiationoftheMSAThealthimpactsamongasetofprojectalternatives.Thesedifficultiesaremagnifiedforlifetime(i.e.,70year)assessments,


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particularlybecauseunsupportableassumptionswouldhavetobemaderegardingchangesintravelpatternsandvehicletechnology(whichaffectsemissionsrates)overthattimeframe,sincesuchinformationisunavailable.Itisparticularlydifficulttoreliablyforecast70‐yearlifetimeMSATconcentrationsandexposurenearroadways;todeterminetheportionoftimethatpeopleareactuallyexposedataspecificlocation;andtoestablishtheextentattributabletoaproposedaction,especiallygiventhatsomeoftheinformationneededisunavailable.

ThereareconsiderableuncertaintiesassociatedwiththeexistingestimatesoftoxicityofthevariousMSAT,becauseoffactorssuchaslow‐doseextrapolationandtranslationofoccupationalexposuredatatothegeneralpopulation.Asaresult,thereisnonationalconsensusonairdose‐responsevaluesassumedtoprotectthepublichealthandwelfareforMSATcompoundsand,inparticular,fordieselPM.

Thereisalsothelackofanationalconsensusonanacceptablelevelofrisk.ThecurrentcontextistheprocessusedbytheEPAasprovidedbytheCAAtodeterminewhethermorestringentcontrolsarerequiredtoprovideanamplemarginofsafetytoprotectpublichealthortopreventanadverseenvironmentaleffectforindustrialsourcessubjecttothemaximumachievablecontroltechnologystandards,suchasbenzeneemissionsfromrefineries.Thedecisionframeworkisatwo‐stepprocess.ThefirststeprequiresEPAtodeterminea"safe"or"acceptable"levelofriskduetoemissionsfromasource,whichisgenerallynogreaterthanapproximately100inamillion.Additionalfactorsareconsideredinthesecondstep,thegoalofwhichistomaximizethenumberofpeoplewithriskslessthan1inamillionduetoemissionsfromasource.Theresultsofthisstatutorytwo‐stepprocessdonotguaranteethatcancerrisksfromexposuretoairtoxicsarelessthan1inamillion;insomecases,theresidualriskdeterminationcouldresultinmaximumindividualcancerrisksthatareashighasapproximately100inamillion.InaJune2008decision,theU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheDistrictofColumbiaCircuitupheldEPA'sapproachtoaddressingriskinitstwo‐stepdecisionframework.Informationisincompleteorunavailabletoestablishthateventhelargestofhighwayprojectswouldresultinlevelsofriskgreaterthansafeoracceptable.

Becauseofthelimitationsinthemethodologiesforforecastinghealthimpacts,anypredicteddifferenceinhealthimpactsbetweenalternativesislikelytobemuchsmallerthantheuncertaintiesassociatedwithpredictingtheimpacts.Consequently,theresultsofsuchassessmentswouldnotbeusefultodecisionmakers,whowouldneedtoweighthisinformationagainstprojectbenefits,suchasreducingtrafficcongestion,accidentrates,andfatalities,plusimprovedaccessforemergencyresponse,thatarebettersuitedforquantitativeanalysis.

3.2 Construction Emissions Heavyconstructionequipment,includingexcavators,scrapers,graders,rollers,compactors,andpavers,maybeusedtoclearandgrub,excavate,grade,andpaveforconstructionofnewroadways.Contractorswillberesponsibleformaintaining,repairing,andadjustingallconstructionequipmenttokeeptheminfullsatisfactoryconditiontominimizepollutantemissions.Equipmentemissionsmaybereducedbyusingnewer,lower‐emittingequipment,retrofittingolderequipmentengines,andcontrollingactivity.

Measuresshouldbetakentoreduceanyfugitivedustgeneratedbyconstructionactivities.Adustcontrolplanmaybepreparedtooutlinecontrolmethodsspecifictotheconstructionsite.Dustcontrolmethodsmayincludewateringareasofdisturbance,coveringhaultrucks,stabilizingorcoveringstockpileareas,washingequipmenttominimizetrackout,andreducingspeedsonunpavedroads.

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Section 4

Conclusions

ThestudyareaislocatedinEastBatonRougeParish,whichisinattainmentofCO,NO2,SO2,PM10,PM2.5andPb(EPA2013e).TheproposedprojectiswithintheBatonRougenonattainmentareafor2008O3NAAQSandisinmaintenanceofthe19978‐hourO3standard.

Transportationconformityappliestononattainmentandmaintenanceareas.However,the1997O3NAAQSwasrevokedfortransportationconformitypurposesasofJuly20,2013;therefore,transportationconformityrequirementsdonotapplytothe1997O3NAAQS.EastBatonRougeParishisinnonattainmentofthe2008O3NAAQS;therefore,transportationconformityappliestothe2008O3NAAQS.TheprojectisincludedintheEPAandFHWAapprovedairqualityconformityanalysis,AirQualityConformityAnalysisoftheMetropolitanTransportationPlan2037andTransportationImprovementProgram2013‐2017fortheBatonRougeOzoneNon‐AttainmentArea(CRPC2013),thusaregionalanalysisisnotrequired.

Theprojectdoesnotinvolveasignificantnumberofdieselvehiclesandisnotanticipatedtosignificantlyincreasethenumberofdieselvehicles,adverselyaffectintersectionsthatareLOSD,E,orF,orchangetheLOSofanintersectiontoD,E,orF.Therefore,theprojectwouldnotberequiredtoconductaproject‐levelhotspotanalysisforCOorPM.

NosignificantMSATimpactsareanticipatedfromthisproject.Airtoxicsanalysisisacontinuingareaofresearch.Atthistime,thetoolsandtechniquesforassessingproject‐specifichealthoutcomesasaresultoflifetimeMSATexposureremainlimited.

Emissionsfromconstructionoftheproposedprojectshouldbeminimizedusingnewer,lower‐emittingequipment,retrofittingolderequipmentengines,controllingequipmentactivityandbyimplementingadustcontrolplan.

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Section 5

References

“AirQualityDesignationsforthe2010SulfurDioxide(SO2)PrimaryNationalAmbientAirQualityStandard.”FederalRegister78(5August2013):47191‐47205.

CapitalRegionPlanningCommission(CRPC).2013.AirQualityConformityAnalysisoftheMetropolitanTransportationPlan2037andTransportationImprovementProgram2013‐2017fortheBatonRougeOzoneNon‐AttainmentArea.July.

CDMSmith.2014.TrafficStudyReportHooperRoad:BlackwaterRdtoSullivanRd.PreparedforSIGMAConsultingGroup,Inc.August.

FederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA).2012.InterimGuidanceUpdateonMobileSourceAirToxicAnalysisinNEPA.December.Availableonlineat:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/air_toxics/policy_and_guidance/aqintguidmem.cfm[AccessedonAugust5,2013].

“IdentificationofOzoneAreasforwhichthe1‐HourStandardhasbeenRevokedandTechnicalCorrectiontoPhase1Rule.”FederalRegister70(3Aug2005):44470‐44478.

“Implementationofthe2008NationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsforOzone:NonattainmentAreaClassificationsApproach,AttainmentDeadlinesandRevocationofthe1997OzoneStandardsforTransportationConformityPurposes.”FederalRegister77(21May2012):30160‐30171.

“PM2.5andPM10Hot‐SpotAnalysesinProject‐LevelTransportationConformityDeterminationsfortheNewPM2.5andPM10NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.”FederalRegister71(10March2006):12468‐12511.

“PrimaryNationalAmbientAirQualityStandardforSulfurDioxide.”FederalRegister75(22June2010):35520‐35603.

UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).2003.Ozone:GoodUpHigh,BadNearbyBrochure.EPA‐451/K‐03‐001.Availableonlineat:http://epa.gov/airquality/ozonepollution/pdfs/ozonegb.pdf[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2009.OzoneandYourHealthBrochure.EPA‐456/F‐09‐001.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airnow/ozone‐c.pdf[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2012a.LeadHealthEffectsHomepage.March13.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/lead/health.html[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2012b.LeadinAirHomepage.April12.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/lead/[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2012c.CarbonMonoxideHealthEffectsHomepage.December10.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide/health.html[AccessedonJune21,2014].

Section 5 References

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EPA.2012d.NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)Homepage.December14.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html[AccessedonJune9,2014].

EPA.2013a.NO2HealthEffectsHomepage.February14.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/nitrogenoxides/health.html[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2013b.ParticulateMatter(PM)BasicInformationHomepage.March18.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/basic.html[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2013c.SulfurDioxideHealthEffects.June28.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/health.html[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2013d.AirDataMonitorValuesReport.September9.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_rep_mon.html[AccessedonJune10,2014].

EPA.2013e.TheGreenBookNonattainmentAreasforCriteriaPollutants.December5.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook/[AccessedonJune9,2014].

EPA,2014a.AirEmissionSourcesHomepage.March18.Availableonlineat:www.epa.gov/air/emissions/index.htm.[AccessedonJune21,2014].

EPA.2014b.ParticulateMatter(PM)Health.May6.Availableonlineat:http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/health.html[AccessedonJune21,2014].

LouisianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(LDEQ).2011.LettertoUSEPARegion6RegardingtheStateofLouisianaRecommendationsforAreaDesignationsUndertheJune2010SulfurDioxideNAAQS.May26.

Appendix G, Air Quality Analysis · 2016-01-26 · City/Parish Project No. 12-CS-HC-0017 State...

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