Recycling Center Environmental Impact Statement
Introduction
This paper will present an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of a proposed construction project of a new recycling center in a rural area. The proposed project is to be built in a nonattainment area. The EIS will address land-use and development, social and neighborhood effects, economic factors, air quality, noise, and water resources as it relates to the proposed project. Included in the process will be three alternatives as well as a no build alternative. The Environmental Impact Statement will provide a detailed scoping of the project along with the alternatives that will ensure all potential impacts are addressed prior to project approval.
Land Area
The first thing to address is the fact that the proposed construction site is located within an area that does not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The environmental protection agency has declared the area a nonattainment area. The EPA defines nonattainment as “any area that does not meet (or that contributes to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard for the pollutant.” (Environmental Protection Agency, 2011) Since the proposed area is classified a nonattainment area special considerations must occur in order for project approval.
To satisfy the special considerations of a nonattainment area the project must comply with strict emission limitations. The proposed recycling center must not exceed these limitations or the project will not be approved. The Environmental Protection Agency states:
“The non-attainment area NSR program is designed to ensure that any new industrial growth in a non-at...
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...event water contamination and other disturbances to the water supply.
Conclusion
This Environmental Impact Statement and its enclosed project alternatives can be reviewed for project approval as well as any additional scoping that may be necessary. The preferred build alternative should be selected because of the low environmental impact and beneficial economic benefits compared to the other build and no-build alternatives.
Works Cited
Environmental Protection Agency, (Aug 2011). Green book. Retrieved from website: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/greenbk/define.html
Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency, (Nov 2011). Caa national enforcement programs. Retrieved from website: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/caaenfprog.html
Marriott, B. (1997). Environmental impact assessment: A practical guide. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
USEPA, (2011). Water: Lead & Copper Rule. United States Environmental Protection Agency website. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lcr/index.cfm
For my local area, there are no environmental concerns; however, I learned of the detailed information available regarding air quality monitoring – which indicated that the air quality for our location is among the best air quality in the nation. (The state of California leads the nation in several aspects of environmental stewardship.)
Under Superfund, the EPA may take action to identify responsible parties, perform emergency removal of hazardous waste, establish long term remediation plans, and facilitate community participation. Hazardous waste sites are identified for EPA involvement through the Hazardous Ranking System (HRS). The HRS is a scoring system based on the actual and potential releases of contaminants to the environment from the site. Sites scoring high in the HRS may be added to the added to the National Priority List (NPL) based on the interest of the state and the relative risk the site poses.
By following the recommendations, as set forth by the EPA allows them to follow standards and contribute to solutions. As found in the eGuide, “They also require that businesses identify steps to reduce pollution.” (eGuide, p.5) Therefore, upgrading the smoke stacks instead of relocating to the other location, which will continue to contribute to high emission levels, recognizes the company will be making a contribution to finding the solution. In conclusion, although we will continue to battle the effects of air pollution, if each company and individual continues to contribute with ideas, the hope for the environment will stop deteriorating so quickly.
The cost of integrating a sustainable building will depend mostly on the location, climate, type of building, site condition, and also project team can influence the cost (Morris, 2007). Green buildings are more expensive compared to conventional buildings. While considering the cost of green buildings, both positive and negative benefits should be considered. The positive benefits like economic advantages that are not visible during construction (Buys & Hurbissoon, 2011). The new technologies that are implemented, they results in a great investment in a long-term by reducing maintenance and operation cost. Since green buildings contribute to the economy, developers are now adapting the idea of constructing green buildings (Best Buildings and Materials of 2015). It added by saying, greater efficiency should be promoted for water and energy, while conserving nature and lowering the building cost. There are design and construction
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) entails a multifaceted appraisement of the possible aftermath caused by a project or action on the surrounding man-made and natural environment (Wood, 2003). This systematic process requires the involvement of all interested stakeholders in the process and the public, in order to achieve a widespread consent on the planned project and mitigation strategies proposed [European Commission (EC), 2014].
Samarai M.A. Qudah L.M. 2007. Planning Sustainable Mega Projects in UAE. World Housing Congress. Pg 1 – 20.
"Green Building: Advantages & Disadvantages." Green Building: Advantages & Disadvantages. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. .
The physical side and the financial side have to work in a open exchange of information. The synergy of this project before it ever starts construction must come from the cooperation and adjustments made by both sides to create the best development. The physical side must take into account several things with the environmental sector. How can this site be used? What amenities or attractions can I draw from the existing environment? How can I improve the existing environment to create a more valuable development? The urban linkage must take into consideration how they are going to create their link to the surrounding environment and/or city.
The beginnings of today's green revolution can be traced back to the environmental awareness of the 1960s and European design. New construction techniques have lead to the development of innovative materials and design concepts. Green buildings are designed, constructed and commissioned to ensure they are healthy for their occupants. Successfully designed green projects can involve an extensive array of factors, ranging from the resourceful use of materials, to careful consideration of function, climate, and location.
Morgan R.K. 2012. Environmental impact assessment: the state of the art. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal. 30(1), 5-14, DOI: 10.1080/14615517.2012.661557
We all care for our planet even if it is a very tiny part inside of us. The less effort we have to put forward in helping our environment the more we are actually willing to help and the better we feel about ourselves. In fact, more people recycle than vote in the United States; according to Samantha MacBride in her book Recycling Reconsidered. (MacBride 9) But, what if the good is outweighed by the bad? What if the immediate results are just delaying worst problems? The city of Saint George has a great waste management program, a county landfill which is in city limits, but the right distance from residential areas, and many respectable recycling centers. The city also offers recycling “binnies” at multiple locations throughout the city (WC). Waste management is near perfect in Saint George. However, the newly elected Mayor Jon Pike is looking to implement a city-wide curbside recycling program. “. . . [Mayor Pike] wants to pursue a longtime goal of bringing curbside recycling service to the area, embracing a nation-wide trend toward sustainability and hoping to extend the life of the county landfill.” reports David DeMille from The Spectrum. Yes, curbside recycling does indeed come with its benefits, but those benefits may not as be as beneficial as they appear. The City of Saint George should not implement curbside recycling.
"What YOU Can Do to Prevent NPS Pollution." Home. EPA, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
That is NEPA of 1969 of USA is legislative basis of EIA. The legislation made it mandatory to assess all the environmental consequences of all activities by federal agencies.
Also, the public members are supposed to be actively involved in the EIA process so as to ensure that a cost effective method in conducting the EIA is chosen. Overall, the applications and importance of the Environmental Impact Assessment for public projects is enormous; thus, requires a collective approach and participation of the public members and various authorities in ensuring that any project becomes environmentally sustainable.