Final ScopeFinal Scope
Environmental Impact Statement
Thurston Highlands Master Planned Development
The impact analysis to be performed for the Thurston Highlands conceptual master plan proposal and alternatives (including the No Action Alternative) will address the following elements
of the environment. Impacts during construction and in the completed and occupied condition of the development will be distinguished. Reasonable mitigation measures that would significantly
mitigate adverse impacts will be identified. Due to the projected 20 to 30-year development period of the project, it may be necessary to perform additional environmental review in the
future if background conditions significantly change.
Natural Environment
Geology, soils, topography, unique physical features, and erosion during and after construction.
Soil suitability for stormwater infiltration.
Air quality during and after construction; air quality attributable to increased automobile traffic ( a qualitative analysis, due to the distant location from monitored air quality attainment
areas.
Air quality issues related to the proximity of the site to the Fort Lewis Military Reservation ( potential impacts to residents of Thurston Highlands.
Surface water movement, quantity and quality; particularly potential impacts of Thurston Highlands on flooding issues associated with Thompson Creek.
Aquifer movement, quality, and quantity, particularly potential impacts attributable to increased potable water withdrawals and stormwater treatment and disposal.
Public and private water supplies: the potential impacts of increased potable water withdrawals required to serve the proposed development.
Wetland hydrology and wetland habitat located on and adjacent to the property.
Fish and wildlife habitat, movement corridors, number and diversity of species, and unique species.
Amount of energy required, rate of use and efficiency; sources and availability, and potential impacts to nonrenewable resources. Also, options for minimizing the demand for energy.
Built Environment
Past land use practices as they relate to potential releases of contaminants to the environment.
Noise generated by the proposed action or alternatives, during and after construction ( a qualitative analysis.
Prospective noise impacts to residents of Thurston Highlands as a result of existing noise sources that will continue in the area; particularly, noises generated by existing and ongoing
activities on the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, based on the needs of the Military:
Low-flying aircraft at all hours
Military vehicles
Timber harvesting operations
Military training activities, including the use of blank ammunition, pyrotechnics, and grenade and artillery simulators.
Relationship to existing land use plans, population and housing estimates, including:
City of Yelm Comprehensive Plan
City of Yelm Comprehensive Sewer Plan
City of Yelm Comprehensive Reclaimed Water Plan
City of Yelm Comprehensive Water Plan
City of Yelm Comprehensive Transportation Plan
SE Thurston Fire/EMS Capital Facilities Plan
Rainier School District Capital Facilities Plan
Yelm Community Schools Capital Facilities Plan.
Light and glare.
Aesthetics:
Buffers and screening between existing and proposed development.
Options for the character of the Thurston Highlands development.
Options for amenities that may be provided within the development.
Regional recreation and open space corridors.
Cultural Resources:
Coordination with the Nisqually Tribe to determine whether there may have been Native American use of the site
Measures to identify possible cultural resources (if any) during construction
Measures to be implemented if resources are found.
Transportation System, including:
The surface road network, including traffic volumes, traffic operations, site access and traffic safety, considering the Yelm Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The initial study area
will be SR 510 from Yelm to Interstate 5 at Marvin Road (SR 510), SR 507 from Yelm to the Roy Y, and SR 510 from Yelm to Interstate 5 at Grand Mound, as well as potentially impacted
City and County surface streets within these corridors. The study area will be refined in coooperation with transportation agencies after baseline traffic modeling is complete.
Coordination with WSDOT and neighboring jurisdictions.
Parking within the proposed Master Planned Community.
Transit facilities and service.
Non-motorized circulation, including crossing and connecting to the Yelm/Tenino Trail.
Public Services and Utilities
The cost of public services, in general.
Fire protection and emergency medical services: manpower and capital requirements; measures to minimize demand and travel time.
Police protection services: manpower and capital requirements, design guidelines supportive of safety and security.
Schools, including both the Rainier School District and Yelm Community Schools.
Onsite parks and recreational facilities, including maintenance.
Impacts to water supplies, including impacts associated with the allocation of new water rights necessary to serve the proposed development. The analysis will include potential water
quantity impacts to public and individual water supplies, as well as surface water levels and flows.
Stormwater management, including potential impacts to the surface waters of Thompson Creek and wetlands located on or adjacent to the property, and potential effects on groundwater quality
and quantity.
Sewage collection and treatment, including:
A description of existing sewage treatment regulations and technologies and impacts from the production and use of Category A reclaimed water.
Consistency with the Yelm Comprehensive Sewer Plan and Yelm Comprehensive Reclaimed Water Plan.
Treatment and distribution systems to be required within Thurston Highlands.
Electrical and communications services.
Impacts to other public and governmental services, including:
Solid waste (garbage) collection
City parks
City streets
City utility billing services.
SEPA Lead Agency: City of Yelm
SEPA Responsible Official: Grant Beck, Community Development Director P.O. Box 479 105 Yelm Avenue West Yelm, WA 98597 cdd@ci.yelm.wa.us
Date: June 8, 2005
Grant Beck, Community Development Director
SEPA Responsible Official