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CFE agenda 010818
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CFE agenda 010818
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1/8/2018
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CFE minutes 010818
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should continue to evaluate the possible wetlands impacts associated with the NEPA Preferred <br />Alternative and identify specific mitigation measures to ensure the least impact possible to these <br />special water resources. <br />C. Air Quality <br />The DEIS's cursory examination of air quality impacts does a disservice to the project by <br />failing to document the significant positive effects the D -0 LRT will have on air quality. While <br />"[ m]odeling analyses are only required for areas that are in nonattainment or maintenance for a <br />particular pollutant" in terms of National Ambient Air Quality Standards ( "NAAQS ") under the <br />Clean Air Act, the FEIS should discuss more of the air quality impacts than are discussed in the <br />DEIS. n The DEIS identifies that Durham County is a maintenance area for carbon monoxide <br />and then limits air quality discussion to this sole pollutant and area. Even if modeling analyses <br />are not required, the FEIS should document and consider the possible air quality impacts that <br />will result from this project. For example, the FEIS should note that by reducing the numbers of <br />cars on the road, there will be a corresponding reduction in multiple harmful pollutants. <br />Moreover, even if additional modeling analyses are not required, they certainly are not <br />prohibited, and we would support GoTriangle conducting further modeling analyses to document <br />the positive effects this system will have on air quality. <br />D. Greenhouse Gas Emissions <br />One of the prime environmental benefits of the D -0 LRT is the potential for reductions in <br />tailpipe emissions of GHGs. In December 2014, the Council of Environmental Quality ( "CEQ ") <br />issued a draft guidance on "Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of <br />Climate Change," under NEPA. 72 The draft guidance instructs agencies to consider impacts on <br />GHGs when conducting a NEPA analysis. The DEIS failed to conduct such an analysis, citing a <br />lack of a "national strategy to address greenhouse gas emissions from transportation," and <br />asserting that "[i]t is technically unfeasible to accurately model how negligible increases or <br />decreases of CO2 emissions at a project scale would add or subtract to the carbon emissions from <br />around the world." 73 We disagree with this sentiment. As recognized by the CEQ's draft <br />guidance, while "climate impacts are not attributable to any single action," they are "exacerbated <br />by a series of smaller decisions, including decisions made by the government" and should be <br />analyzed as such .74 Here, the D -0 LRT's impact would almost certainly have the positive <br />environmental effect of reducing GHGs. Documenting such a positive effect is important for <br />future transportation planning and to establish the precedent of conducting such evaluations. <br />71 The FEIS should also clarify that 40 C.F.R. 93, subpart A, requires modeling analyses for only nonattainment or <br />maintenance areas for a given pollutant. While reference is made in Appendix K23, the source of this requirement <br />should be clarified within the text of the FEIS. <br />72 Revised Draft Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of Climate Change, 79 <br />Fed. Reg. 77801 (Dec. 24, 2014). <br />73 DEIS at 4 -201. <br />74 Revised Draft Guidance, 79 Fed. Reg. at 77825. <br />13 <br />
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