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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The tables shown in the Environmental and Social Impacts section of this report display data <br />where potential air quality problems could occur based on the number of vehicles accessing <br />and parking at the stations. The number of vehicles accessing and parking at the stations is <br />directly related to the number of commuter rail riders at each station. A more detailed air <br />quality analysis will be completed during the preparation of the EIS for the Northstar <br />commuter rail system. This will include modeling air quality emissions at selected high <br />volume intersections and stations. <br /> <br />Noise <br /> <br />Noise receptors are facilities senSItive to or adversely affected by noise resulting from <br />commuter trains and station activity. Examples include schools, religious institutions and <br />medical facilities. As required by the Federal Transit Administration (FT A) and for purposes <br />of this study, noise receptors were identified within a Yz mile area of each proposed station <br />location; this includes residential areas potentially affected by increased noise levels. <br /> <br />Floodplains <br /> <br />Station sites located within an existing floodplain area are identified in this portion of the <br />table. Utilizing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain data and Flood <br />Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), a radius of Yz mile surrounding each station site was selected <br />for analysis; a V<I mile radius was used around segment areas where double track construction <br />is proposed. Although much of the corridor runs parallel with the Mississippi River, the <br />probability level of potential impacts is low in most proposed areas. <br /> <br />Wetlands <br /> <br />The probability of encountering wetlands in each of the proposed station areas is briefly <br />evaluated in this portion of the table. Information is based on the N ational Wetlands <br />Inventory (NWI). The area evaluated includes a Yz mile radius surrounding each station site, <br />and 1,4 mile area surrounding each track segment area. Other inventories may identify <br />additional wetlands not included in the NWI. <br /> <br />Farmlands <br /> <br />A brief analysis of soils was conducted within Yz mile of the proposed station locations to <br />determine potential impacts on prime farmlands in the area. A radius of 1,4 mile was used for <br />track segment areas. <br /> <br />Visual Impacts <br /> <br />Each proposed station site was evaluated for potential aesthetic intrusions and overall visual <br />impacts on the existing landscape in the area. <br /> <br />Commuter Rail Feasibility Study <br />March 24, 1999 <br /> <br />8-5 <br />Social and Environmental Impacts <br />