CE 515 Railroad Engineering Environmental Regulations and Permitting Source: AREMA Ch. 11 “Transportation exists to conquer space and time -”

Environmental Regulations & Permitting United States Canada Mexico Just overview – assessments to be completed by licensed professionals J. Rose Lectures, Ch. 16, Slide 4

US Regulations Wetlands Best Management Practices Threatened & Endangered Species Cultural Resources Phase I Environmental Assessment Hazardous Waste Brownfields Asbestos Air Quality

Best Management Practices Policies, practices, procedures, or structures implemented to mitigate the direct and indirect degradation of surface water quality from an activity BMPs required for all permits Non-structural elements – Preservation of natural areas Floodplains Streams Wetlands Prairies Woodlands Native soils Structural elements – Vegetated swales – Filter strips – Infiltration trenches Limit amount of impervious surface area

Threatened & Endangered Species Endangered Species: any animal or plant that is in danger of going extinct Threatened Species: any animal or plant that is likely to become endangered in the near future Critical habitat: geographic area which maintains biological/physical features essential to conservation of the species and which require special management, consideration, or protection. Take permit issued by Fish & Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service An NWP WILL NOT authorize any activity which is likely to impact a threatened or endangered species, or its critical habitat. Lakeside Daisy AREMA Manual; Page 490 Cedar Rapids and Iowa City US 151 near Amana Humpback Sucker AREMA Manual; Page 490

Cultural Resources Cultural Resource: any phenomenon associated with prehistoric or historic events, themes, or individuals (often unique, fragile, & non- renewable) NHPA of 1966 Professional archaeologists must conduct surveys Some states have additional laws – Illinois Examples include: – Historic buildings/districts – Burial sites – Campsites – Spiritual sites – Churches/cemeteries – Trails – Tunnels – Towers – Bridges/miscellaneous structures

Phase I Environmental Assessment First step to determine if contamination exists on property Includes: – Property Overview – Property History – Regulatory History – Environmental investigations and cleanups – Physical reconnaissance – Visual and physical inspection Buildings interior and exterior Facility grounds and areas of concern (28 listed on pg. 493 of AREMA) – Property Maps If concerns exist, move on to Phase II (sampling) Cedar Rapids and Iowa City US 151 near Amana Site-Assessments.cfm

Information about regulated substances must be made available to authorities or the public Hazardous Waste Three types are to be reported: – MSDS – Emergency and hazardous chemical inventory forms – Toxic chemical release reporting In the event of a release, authorities MUST be notified. Notification must identify: –Hazardous chemical involved –Amounts released –Time, duration, and environmental fate –Suggested action

Brownfields EPA definition: “abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is contaminated.” EPA has “Brownfield Economic Redevelopment Initiative to help local stakeholders revitalize and clean-up sites.

Asbestos Very small, natural mineral fibers known for their strength and fire- resistant properties. Demolition/construction areas known to contain asbestos must be monitored by a qualified hygienist. OSHA and NESHAP/EPA standards apply. Cedar Rapids and Iowa City US 151 near Amana

Air Quality CAA of 1970 National Primary and Secondary ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) Designated pollutants: – O 3 – CO – NO 2 – SO 2 – Particulate Matter – Pb Different states have different regs Locomotive exhaust info: Cedar Rapids and Iowa City US 151 near Amana

Case Study AREMA Manual: Drawing made courtesy of Bollinger, Lach & Associates, Inc. Cedar Rapids and Iowa City US 151 near Amana

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