ash for trash draft scoping document

Proposed Cortland-Onondaga Regional Solid Waste Partnership

Draft Scoping Document

April 2014

Proposed Cortland-Onondaga County Regional Solid Waste Partnership

Draft Scoping Document

April 2014

Prepared For:

Prepared By:

Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. Engineers Environmental Scientists Planners Landscape Architects

290 Elwood Davis Road Box 3107

Syracuse, New York 13220

Proposed Cortland-Onondaga Regional Solid Waste Partnership Draft Scoping Document

331.112.001/4.14 - i - Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.

Table of Contents

Section Page

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1

2 Proposed Project ...................................................................................................... 3

3 Project Description.................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Existing Disposal Facilities to be Utilized ........................................................... 6

3.1.1 Cortland County Landfill .............................................................................. 6

3.1.2 OCRRA Waste-to-Energy Facility ................................................................ 7

3.2 Proposed Cortland County Landfill Tonnage Increase ....................................... 8

3.3 Proposed Cortland County Transfer Station....................................................... 9

3.4 Waste Transportation ......................................................................................... 9

3.5 Local Solid Waste Laws and Management Plans ............................................ 10

3.6 Regulatory Approvals ....................................................................................... 10

4 Potentially Significant Impacts, Existing and New Information, and Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................................................... 12

4.1 Project-wide Potential Impacts ......................................................................... 12

4.1.1 Transportation and Traffic .......................................................................... 12

4.1.2 Air Resources ............................................................................................ 13

4.1.3 Energy Conservation ................................................................................. 13

4.1.4 Unacceptable Materials ............................................................................. 14

4.2 Cortland County Potential Impacts ................................................................... 14

4.2.1 Geologic Resources .................................................................................. 14

4.2.2 Water Resources ....................................................................................... 15

4.2.3 Ecological Resources ................................................................................ 16

4.2.4 Land Use and Zoning ................................................................................ 16

4.2.5 Population .................................................................................................. 17

4.2.6 Public Services .......................................................................................... 17

4.2.7 Public Health ............................................................................................. 17

4.2.8 Property Values ......................................................................................... 18

4.2.9 Utilities ....................................................................................................... 18

4.2.10 Historic and Archaeological Resources ..................................................... 18


331.112.001/4.14 - ii - Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.

4.2.11 Visual Setting ............................................................................................. 18

4.2.12 Noise Analysis ........................................................................................... 19

4.2.13 Fiscal Analysis ........................................................................................... 20

4.3 Onondaga County Potential Impacts ................................................................ 20

4.3.1 Impacts Previously Addressed by SEQR................................................... 20

4.3.2 Population .................................................................................................. 21

4.3.3 Public Health ............................................................................................. 21

4.3.4 Fiscal Analysis ........................................................................................... 21

5 Reasonable Alternatives to Be Considered ............................................................ 22

5.1 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................ 22

5.2 Cortland County Flow Control Alternative ........................................................ 22

5.3 Cortland County Landfill Sale or Lease ............................................................ 22

5.4 Alternative Cortland County Transfer Station Sites .......................................... 22

5.5 Onondaga County Resource Recovery Facility Ash Residue Disposal Site Alternatives ................................................................................................................ 22

5.6 Alternative Cortland County Waste Disposal Technologies ............................. 23

6 Additional Draft EIS Contents ................................................................................. 24

6.1 Summary of Proposed Action ........................................................................... 24

6.2 Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................... 24

6.3 Growth-Inducing Impacts ................................................................................. 24

6.4 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts .......................................................................... 24

6.5 Non-Significant Impacts ................................................................................... 24

6.6 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources ................................. 25

6.7 References ....................................................................................................... 25

7 Preliminary List of DEIS Appendices ...................................................................... 26

8 Preliminary Table of Contents ................................................................................ 27

Appendices

Appendix A Full Environmental Assessment Form Appendix B DEIS Preliminary Table of Contents


331.112.001/4.14 - 1 - Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.

1 Introduction

This Draft Scoping Document (DSD) has been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) set forth in 6 NYCRR(Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York) Part 617, which pertains to the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Act . This DSD will discuss the proposed Cortland-Onondaga Regional Solid Waste Partnership (Partnership) between Cortland County, Onondaga County, and the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) for improvement of municipal solid waste (MSW) management within the two counties. The proposed Partnership includes the use of the existing OCRRA Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility, located in Onondaga County, for processing both Onondaga County and Cortland County MSW into energy. In addition, the existing Cortland County Landfill would be utilized for disposal of ash residue from the WTE Facility. Refer to Section 2 for further details on the proposed project.

SEQR and its implementing regulations set forth at 6 NYCRR Part 617 establish a process for the systematic consideration of environmental impacts in the planning stages of actions that are directly undertaken, funded, or approved by local, regional, and state agencies. SEQR requires the approving or sponsoring entity to identify and consider significant adverse environmental impacts and mitigation alternatives with respect to the activity it is proposing, funding, or permitting.

In March 2014, Cortland and Onondaga Counties (the Counties) jointly prepared Part 1 of the SEQR Full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) for the proposed project (Attachment A). After reviewing the EAF, the Counties classified the proposed Partnership as a Type I action (as this term is defined under the SEQR regulations set forth at 6 NYCRR Part 617.4(b)). The Counties requested and obtained concurrence on their intent to serve as Co-Lead Agencies from the other involved agencies (as defined in the SEQR regulations), specifically NYSDEC, OCRRA, and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). After declaring themselves Co-Lead Agencies, the Counties made a determination of significance for the project and issued a positive declaration. A formal scoping process, which includes a public comment period, is now being undertaken, as outlined in the SEQR regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617.8).

This DSD identifies the potentially significant issues and impacts that will be addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for proposed actions. The DEIS is the principal document that provides technical and environmental information to evaluate potential impacts associated with the Partnership components outlined in Section 2, below. The components of the DEIS are described in Sections 4 through 8 of this document. The DEIS will also include a discussion of the Partnerships background, purpose, and public needs and benefits, including social and economic



considerations. The appendices to the DEIS will include various technical studies, correspondence with regulatory agencies, and other documents. Section 7 lists the anticipated appendices. Following completion and formal acceptance of the DEIS, there will be another opportunity for public comment on the comprehensive document.



2 Proposed Project

The Partnership consists of a number of proposed actions, which will result in the formation of a cohesive system for the management of MSW generated in Cortland and Onondaga Counties. These actions include:

x Transporting and disposal of approximately 90,000 tons/year of ash residue from the OCRRA WTE facility at the Cortland County Landfill;

x Transporting and processing approximately 25,000 tons/year of Cortland County-generated municipal solid waste (MSW) at OCRRAs WTE Facility. OCRRA will transport MSW from Cortland County on the return trip to the WTE Facility in the same OCRRA vehicles that hauled the ash residue to the Cortland County Landfill;

x A modification to the current Cortland County Landfill permit to increase the permitted tonnage acceptance rate from 44,500 tons/year to 95,000 tons/year to allow for disposal of the WTE Facility ash residue;

x Construction of a Grade Separation Transfer Station at the Cortland County Landfill as a collection point for MSW generated in Cortland County, including a modification to the landfill permit to allow for construction and operation of the Transfer Station;

x Legislative adoption of changes to the existing importation laws in both Onondaga and Cortland Counties to allow for the transportation and management of MSW and ash residue between the two counties;

x Modification of the Cortland County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) to encompass changes necessary for implementation of the Partnership arrangement;

x Update of the Onondaga County SWMP to encompass changes necessary for implementation of the Partnership arrangement, to incorporate revisions that will conform the Plan to recent New York State requirements and address changes within the solid waste management system, including improved recycling of discarded electronic products and other municipal solid wastes such as batteries;

x Enter into appropriate agreements and/or amend existing agreements in support of the proposed Partnership.

The primary focus of this DSD is to identify potentially significant adverse impacts that will be addressed in a DEIS. To the extent applicable, potentially significant adverse impacts and proposed mitigation measure will be briefly described in this DSD for the following areas of potential environmental concern:

x Impacts on Land



x Impacts on Water x Impacts on Air x Impacts on Plants and Animals x Impacts on Aesthetic Resources including Visual Impacts x Impacts on Historic and Archeological Resources x Impacts on Transportation x Impacts on Energy x Noise and Odor Impacts x Impacts on Public Health x Impacts on Growth and Character of the Community or Neighborhood

Alternatives to be reviewed in the DEIS will also be identified in this DSD, including alternatives specific to the proposed actions in Cortland County (implementation of flow control, landfill sale or lease, alternate transfer station sites, and alterative waste disposal technologies) and alternatives specific to Onondaga County (alternative ash residue disposal sites), as well as the no action alternative for both counties.

Several aspects of this proposal will provide significant public benefits. To that extent, they can be considered as mitigation measures for potentially significant adverse environmental impacts. These public benefits are highlighted below:

x Cortland County will receive additional revenue at their MSW landfill due to the increase in disposed tonnage at the facility on an annual basis. The facility is currently underutilized and is facing financial concerns.

x OCRRA will realize significantly reduced ash residue transport and disposal costs, as ash residue is currently hauled to a facility 80 miles away from the WTE Facility. The Cortland County Landfill is approximately 40 miles from the WTE Facility. In addition, OCRRA would receive favorable, guaranteed disposal rates at the Landfill facility through the terms of the Partnership.

x OCRRA will realize additional revenue through the increased electricity generation at the WTE Facility due to the increased throughput from the addition of Cortland Countys MSW.

x Both Cortland County and Onondaga County will benefit from the ability to partner on alternative solid waste programs such as household hazardous waste (HHW) collection, recycling infrastructure, recycling education, organics management, and mercury, battery, and fluorescent bulb collection. Independently, these municipalities have struggled to fully fund such programs due to the recent economic downturn. By combining resources, residents of both Counties can have access to such programs. Cortland County residents will benefit from their ability to participate in OCRRAs already developed



construction and demolition debris recycling program, food and yard waste composting facility as well as more frequent household hazardous waste collection.

The potential impacts and mitigation measures that will be addressed in the DEIS, along with existing information sources and/or information gathering methods, will be discussed further in this document.



3 Project Description

3.1 Existing Disposal Facilities to be Utilized

3.1.1 Cortland County Landfill

The Cortland County Landfill property is located in the Towns of Cortlandville, Solon and Homer, approximately 5 miles east of the City of Cortland, New York. The landfill property is a 539.9-acre parcel of land currently owned by Cortland County which encompasses the active Cortland County (West Side) Landfill, the closed Old Cortland County Landfill (also known as the Towslee Landfill), the closed Abandoned City of Cortland Landfill, the remediated Buckbee-Mears Sludge Disposal Areas, and the closed Pine Tree Landfill. The active Cortland County West Side Landfill is a permitted 6 NYCRR Part 360 operating landfill facility approximately 31.7 acres in size and is located on the western portion of the landfill property.

The landfill is operated by the Cortland County Highway Department and is permitted to accept 44,500 tons of waste per year. Currently, the facility annually accepts approximately 25,000 tons of mixed residential and commercial MSW, construction and demolition debris (C&D), and wastewater treatment plant sludges; all of which is generated from within Cortland County. The Cortland County Landfill has consumed approximately 51,262 cubic yards (CY) of airspace per year (average of 2011 through 2013). As of July 26, 2013, the existing landfill has approximately 1,264,002 CY of remaining capacity. At the average consumption rate of 51,262 CY per year, the landfill has approximately 24.7 years of remaining site life under current operations.

The West Side Landfill is a double composite lined landfill facility. The landfill was sited in accordance with NYSDEC regulations outside of the primary and principal aquifers in the area. Leachate is collected by the landfill liner system to prevent surface water and ground water contamination. The NYSDEC only requires ash landfills to be constructed with a single composite liner system with no leak detection layer. The Cortland County Landfill, however, has more environmental protection measures in place because it is constructed with a state-of-the-art double composite liner system. The double composite liner system allows for a dual liner system (primary and secondary) with leak detection zone to monitor liner system performance. Each liner is constructed with a synthetic high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane and corresponding low permeability soil or geosynthetic clay liner to form a



composite. Therefore, the Cortland County Landfill liner system exceeds NYSDEC requirements for ash residue containment. Performance of the Countys liner system to date has been well within NYSDEC requirements, as verified by daily monitoring of the liner systems leachate collection system. In addition, the Cortland County Landfill has an extensive groundwater monitoring well network in place to detect any potential release from the landfill. The groundwater monitoring test results do not indicate impacts to the groundwater from the operational landfill.

Leachate collected by the landfill is stored in an on-site leachate storage tank prior to being hauled to the City of Cortland Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment and disposal. To date, the Cortland County Landfill leachate has been successfully treated and disposed of at the Citys treatment plant.

3.1.2 OCRRA Waste-to-Energy Facility

The Onondaga County Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility, just off of route I-481 in Jamesville, is a key component of OCRRAs solid waste management system. This Facility processes all of Onondaga Countys non-recyclable MSW, while also generating enough electricity for 25,000 - 30,000 households and reducing the volume of material that needs to be landfilled by 90%. The WTE Facility is permitted to accept 361,350 tons of waste annually; however, the Facility is currently operating at 87% of capacity, leaving approximately 45,000 tons of unutilized capacity. The acceptance of Cortland County-generated MSW would return the Facility to historical levels of operation.

Since the WTE Facility began operations in 1994, it has integrated state-of-the-art air pollution control technologies to comply with one of the strictest air permits in the nation. The air pollution control technologies include: anhydrous ammonia injection in the boiler to control nitrogen oxides emissions; activated carbon injection in the scrubber to control mercury and dioxin/furan emissions; lime injection in the scrubber to control acid gas emissions; and particulate removal via the Facilitys baghouse (fabric filter system). Emissions from the Facility are carefully monitored through continuous emissions monitors (CEMs) and annual stack testing.

In addition to recovering energy, the WTE Facility recovers 8,000-9,000 tons of metal (ferrous and non-ferrous) annually. The by-product of the combustion process is a biologically inert, non-hazardous ash residue,



which is about 10% of the original volume of the MSW, and 25% of the original weight of the MSW. The ash residue, which is tested semi-annually, has historically been sent to a landfill for use as alternative daily cover under a NYSDEC-approved Beneficial Use Determination. This beneficial reuse of the ash means that other finite materials, such as clean soil, do not need to be used for landfill cover.

The proposed Partnership would not require any permit modifications for the operations of the WTE Facility. The Facility has sufficient capacity to allow for the processing of Cortland County-generated MSW, as well as Onondaga County waste, while still providing additional capacity if these waste streams were to modestly increase. Adding MSW from Cortland County would simply return the Facility to the same processing levels as 2001 2008. The acceptance of Cortland County MSW is highly unlikely to impact the properties of the ash residue. Over the past 19 years of WTE Facility operations, the ash residue has always been determined to be non-hazardous. These considerations will be explored in more detail in the DEIS.

Further details of potential impacts to be studied in the DEIS are outlined in Section 4 of this DSD.

3.2 Proposed Cortland County Landfill Tonnage Increase

In order to manage the entire quantity of ash residue generated at the OCRRA WTE Facility, the proposed Partnership would require an increase to the Cortland County Landfills annual tonnage limit. The landfill is currently permitted to accept 44,500 tons of mixed MSW per year. Through a 6 NYCRR Part 360 permit modification application, Cortland County proposes to increase the annual tonnage limit at the landfill to 95,000 tons/year. Ash residue from the WTE facility is much more dense than the unprocessed MSW currently landfilled. With the tonnage increase up to 95,000 tons/year, transitioning the landfill to primarily an ash residue landfill will decrease the remaining site life to an estimated range of 17 to 18 years.

Besides affecting the landfill site life, the tonnage increase and transitioning the waste mass to primarily ash residue may affect the landfill leachate characteristics, landfill operational techniques, and landfill liner system. Each of these will be analyzed in the 6 NYCRR Part 360 permit modification application and DEIS.

Further details of potential impacts to be assessed in the DEIS are outlined in Section 4 of this DSD.



3.3 Proposed Cortland County Transfer Station

Although the landfill will no longer be used for the disposal of Cortland Countys mixed MSW, Cortland County will continue to manage the mixed MSW waste generated by its residents, businesses, and institutions. Rather than hauling the waste directly to the landfills working face for disposal, a transfer station will be constructed near the landfills weigh scales for the transfer of Cortland Countys waste to OCRRAs WTE Facility. This will maintain a centralized location for the consolidation, sorting, and loading of Cortland Countys waste. All incoming waste to the site will still utilize the landfill scales for proper documentation of incoming waste tonnage. Ash residue and wastewater treatment plant sludges will be landfilled directly. C&D waste loads will be directed to the transfer station where they can be segregated for separate transportation to OCRRAs Ley Creek Transfer Station for separation and recycling.

Cortland County will apply for NYSDEC approval to construct and operate the transfer station as part of the 6 NYCRR Part 360 permit modification described in Section 3.2. The transfer station will change traffic flow patterns at the site and will require site development by Cortland County in a location of the landfill property not previously permitted for development. The permit application will address traffic and transfer station operations in accordance with 6 NYCRR Part 360.


3.4 Waste Transportation

As described above, the Partnership would allow OCRRA to transport their ash residue a considerably shorter distance than their current practice. The trip from the WTE Facility to the Cortland County Landfill is approximately 77 miles roundtrip; a significant reduction from the 160-mile round trip to the facility currently used for disposal of the ash residue (i.e., the High Acres Landfill located in Monroe / Wayne Counties). In addition, it is proposed that the vehicles delivering the ash residue to the Landfill Facility would also be utilized to transport the MSW collected at the proposed transfer station back to the WTE Facility for processing. Therefore, the transport of MSW from Cortland County to Onondaga County would not result in an increase in the need for waste hauling vehicles or truck trips.

With the tonnage increase outlined in Section 3.2, additional truck trips will be required beyond the current traffic flow to the Cortland County Landfill. The



traffic pattern for ash residue hauling vehicles will also change slightly in Onondaga County. Traffic impacts will be addressed in the DEIS. The DEIS will also evaluate the proposed vehicle type, size, and weight with respect to the proposed haul route.


3.5 Local Solid Waste Laws and Management Plans

Currently, both Cortland and Onondaga Counties have local laws that prohibit the importation of municipal solid waste generated outside the County to a landfill or WTE Facility within the County. The proposed Partnership would require that legislation in each county be enacted by the respective Legislature.

The Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP) for each County will be updated and/or modified as required by the NYSDEC and to reflect changes in the solid waste management systems in each county anticipated over the next ten years. The Partnership-related modifications to the LSWMPs will be addressed in the DEIS.

3.6 Regulatory Approvals

It is anticipated that the following regulatory approvals and/or permits will be required prior to the implementation of the project components described above:



Agency Permit/Approval Action

NYSDEC Cortland County Landfill Part 360 Landfill Permit Modification

Annual tonnage acceptance limit increase transfer station construction and operation

Cortland County Landfill Construction Stormwater SPDES Permit

Construction of the transfer station

Cortland County and Onondaga County Local Solid Waste Management Plan Update/Modification Approvals

NYSDOT Divisible Load Permit Ash Residue Haul Trucks

Cortland County Enact Legislation Allow for the importation of

Onondaga County ash residue for disposal

Highway Divisible Load Permit Ash Residue Haul Trucks

Adopt Local Solid Waste Management Plan Update/Modification

Approve Partnership contract

Onondaga County Enact Legislation Allow for the importation of

Cortland County waste for processing at WTE Facility

Adopt Local Solid Waste Management Plan Update/Modification

OCRRA Approve Partnership contract



4 Potentially Significant Impacts, Existing and New Information, and Mitigation Measures

Potentially significant environmental impacts will be assessed through review and analyses of information obtained from the sources listed below. Methodologies for obtaining new information will be in accordance with accepted standards and procedures applicable to each specific area of environmental analysis. This listing of information resources is subject to change, as deemed necessary or appropriate by the SEQR Co-Lead Agencies during preparation of the DEIS. Available published maps, reports, studies, and other documents on file with various local, County, State, and Federal agencies will be utilized to the extent they provide relevant information. Information needed to address specific areas of potential environmental impacts is described in the following subsections. Previous studies prepared for the development of the existing landfill and WTE Facility will be utilized where applicable.

Potential mitigation measures will be described below for the proposed actions based on conceptual site and facility development plans. This scoping document does not attempt to list all of the mitigation measures that will be described in the DEIS, since much of that information will be developed as part of the conceptual engineering site planning, design analyses, and impact analysis. Key features of the conceptual site planning and facility design will be described in the DEIS as part of the project description. Potentially significant adverse environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures related to the proposed projects conceptual design will be examined in the DEIS.

Due to the multiple components of the proposed project and the occurrence of activities in multiple locations, the potential impacts will likely be assessed in three separate categories; impacts associated with the overall project occurring within both Cortland and Onondaga Counties (project-wide potential impacts), impacts associated solely with those activities proposed within Cortland County, and impacts associated solely with those activities proposed within Onondaga County.

4.1 Project-wide Potential Impacts

4.1.1 Transportation and Traffic

The DEIS will analyze transportation impacts associated with the proposed project related to the additional truck traffic along the proposed ash residue haul route from the WTE Facility to the Cortland County Landfill. As the same vehicles will be used to backhaul waste to the WTE Facility from the proposed transfer station at the Cortland County Landfill, additional traffic will not result from that portion of the project.



The proposed haul route will be identified in the DEIS. The NYSDOT will be contacted regarding available information and input concerning the appropriate scope of the study area. A Level of Service analysis will be performed for those key intersections and road segments along the proposed haul route at which future traffic levels may increase. The Level of Service analyses will utilize existing peak traffic hour data and will be undertaken in accordance with the Transportation Research Boards Highway Capacity Manual by utilizing its highway capacity software program. A Level of Service analysis will be prepared for future traffic conditions, based on estimated future, worst case peak traffic hour volumes under the proposed Partnership. The DEIS will also evaluate the proposed vehicle type, size, and weight with respect to the proposed haul route.

Potential mitigation measures, if necessary, include modifications to operational criteria to limit or eliminate traffic queues and modification of operating hours to move peak traffic loads to off-peak traffic periods.

4.1.2 Air Resources

It is anticipated that impacts to air, including greenhouse gases, associated with the project would result in a net reduction in air emissions, however this will be explored in great detail in the DEIS. Sources of emissions to be assessed will include landfill gas emissions at the Cortland County Landfill Facility, emissions associated with combustion at the OCRRA WTE Facility, and vehicle emissions associated with the transportation of ash residue and MSW. Air impact assessments will be undertaken utilizing annual site-specific testing data for the WTE Facility, regulatory guidance published by the NYSDEC Division of Air Resources, and emission factors and regulatory guidance published by EPA.

4.1.3 Energy Conservation

The proposed actions include several energy-related impacts; specifically, a reduction in fuel consumption associated with ash residue transportation, an increase in electrical generation at the WTE Facility due to higher throughput, and an increase in energy used at the landfill facility related to operation of the transfer station and handling of the increased tonnage accepted at the landfill. It is anticipated that these changes in energy use will result in an overall net decrease in energy usage related to the handling of Cortland County and Onondaga County MSW. The DEIS will assess in more detail the expected changes in energy use due to the proposed Partnership.



4.1.4 Unacceptable Materials

Impacts associated with the receipt of unacceptable materials (including but not limited to hazardous waste) at the Cortland County transfer station and WTE Facility include potential downtime of the WTE Facility, potential impacts to the air emissions at the WTE Facility, and potential impacts to the classification of the ash residue from the WTE Facility. Mitigation measures to ensure that unacceptable materials are not accepted at the transfer station and WTE Facility, as well as programs for removing these wastes through special collection programs, will be evaluated and outlined in the DEIS.

Existing ash residue sampling and testing protocols are required by the Part 360 operating permit for the WTE facility. The ash residue sampling protocols and third party laboratory analysis ensure that ash residue from the facility is acceptable for disposal at a NYSDEC-permitted MSW landfill. The ash residue is analyzed per the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), as required by the NYSDEC and US EPA. The current sampling and testing protocols will continue to be utilized prior to disposal at the Cortland County Landfill. Data from the additional TCLP sampling and analysis (beyond the currently required testing parameters) that was performed at the request of Cortland County will be used for analysis of potential impacts in the DEIS.

4.2 Cortland County Potential Impacts

4.2.1 Geologic Resources

The only subsurface construction proposed as part of the Partnership is the construction of the proposed transfer station at the Cortland County Landfill, which will require subsurface support structures and minimal grading of access and maneuvering areas. The excavation of large quantities of soil beyond those already permitted by the current Part 360 operating permit for the landfill is not proposed. Previous geologic studies performed for the landfill site will be utilized, when possible. Test pits will be completed for the proposed transfer station location to determine subsurface conditions and soil stratigraphy. The results of this investigation will be included in the Part 360 permit modification application and DEIS along with any additional potential impacts and mitigating measures identified during the investigation.

The stability of the currently permitted landfill at proposed final elevation will be reevaluated based on the change in characteristics of the



waste from MSW to ash residue to make certain that the landfill will remain structurally sound during and after landfilling activities.

4.2.2 Water Resources

Groundwater, surface water (including wetlands), and stormwater runoff must be analyzed for potential impacts to human health and the environment. Potential impacts to groundwater due to the existing permitted landfill footprint have previously been assessed in the SEQR for the existing landfill. Any changes to the operation of the existing landfill due to the tonnage increase and/or change in waste stream will be addressed in the DEIS.

As discussed in Section 3, the landfill was sited outside of the primary and principal aquifers in the area, in accordance with NYSDEC regulations. The landfill is located within the recharge drainage area of the Cortland-Homer-Preble EPA Sole Source aquifer. Leachate will be collected by the landfill liner system to prevent surface water and ground water contamination. The NYSDEC only requires ash landfills to be constructed with a single composite liner system with no leak detection layer. The Cortland County Landfill, however, has more environmental protection measures in place because it is constructed with a state of the art double composite liner system. Performance of the Countys liner system to date has been well within NYSDEC requirements, as verified by daily monitoring of the liner systems leachate collection system. In addition, the Cortland County Landfill has an extensive groundwater monitoring well network in place to detect any potential release from the landfill. The groundwater monitoring program will continue under the proposed ash residue disposal scenario.

The historical groundwater monitoring and leachate sampling test results for the landfill facility will be utilized to assess current site conditions and used as a tool to anticipate potential future impacts due to changes in site operations and leachate composition. The potential for impacts from leachate to both surface and groundwater downstream and downgradient from the landfill facility will be evaluated. Mitigation measures will include the presence of the landfill liner and leachate collection systems, the treatment of leachate at a wastewater treatment plant, and the use of a site stormwater pollution prevention plan.

A wetland delineation has been performed at the site and three very small wetlands were delineated totaling less than 0.011 acres. The wetlands are a result of tree transplanting where the small excavations of



the root balls were not filled in following tree removal. Initial assessment indicates that these are isolated wetlands which are too small to be regulated. It is anticipated that a jurisdictional determination will be obtained from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Any additional assessments will be completed, as necessary, and will be undertaken in accordance with the 1987 Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. The previously identified wetlands are located within the proposed development area and may be filled with soil upon regulatory approval.

Impacts to stormwater are anticipated due to the development of the proposed transfer station facility, which will result in the generation of additional runoff due to the construction of additional impermeable area. As part of the DEIS, a stormwater analysis will be conducted to determine the size and type of stormwater infrastructure that will be required.

4.2.3 Ecological Resources

The presence of endangered, threatened or rare plants will be determined based on correspondence with DEC (Natural Heritage Program) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service and on-site field observations. A rare plants field survey will also be conducted. Inquiries to the NYSDEC Natural Heritage Program have indicated that no records of rare or state-listed animals, plants, or natural communities exist for the site or its immediate vicinity. An inquiry to the US Department of Fish and Wildlife will be prepared and any plants or species identified will be examined via field investigations and further evaluated in the DEIS.

A vegetation cover type map will be prepared for the transfer station facility site based on analyses of air photos, available maps and reports, and on-site observations.

4.2.4 Land Use and Zoning

It is currently anticipated that the proposed action will not require a modification of the current zoning in the Town of Homer, Cortland County. Based on available information, a special or conditional use permit is not required for this project. The proposed project is consistent with the local land use plans which outline the project property as public services. These statements will be vetted with the local zoning officials for the municipalities in which the facility is located and any changes to this information will be evaluated in the DEIS.



4.2.5 Population

The project is not anticipated to have any impacts to population growth in the vicinity of the landfill; however, population trends must be assessed to ensure that changes in population will not affect the proposed scope and scale of the Partnership. Population data and estimates for the County of Cortland and the Towns of Homer, Cortlandville, and Solon will be obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and the NYS Data Center, if available. Population densities for these Towns and the County of Cortland will also be presented. Population projections, and other growth projections for the community (if any), will be obtained from State or local agencies.

A screening of environmental justice considerations will be undertaken using maps prepared by the DECs Office of Environmental Justice. If the proposed transfer station facility development triggers environmental justice considerations based on a review of aforesaid maps, then demographic and economic information will be gathered from public domain sources to conduct the environmental justice review in accordance with the DEC Commissioners Policy 29 Environmental Justice and Permitting that was issued on March 19, 2003.

4.2.6 Public Services

Impacts to public services are expected to be minor and relate to the need for police, ambulance, and fire services at the facility as well as the use of the existing City of Cortland WWTP for the continued disposal of leachate. The ability of these existing services and utilities to continue to support the landfill facility and the proposed transfer station will be evaluated in the DEIS.

4.2.7 Public Health

The proposed action involves a number of activities including leachate collection and disposal, landfill gas generation, and waste disposal that may be believed to present a potential impact to public health. Consistent with SEQR, the DEIS will discuss these public health concerns as part of a review of potential impacts to existing patterns of population concentration resulting from waste handling activities. Potential impact will be derived from an evaluation of the findings of the most recent Community Health Assessment prepared by the Cortland County Health Department. The DEIS will also discuss relevant



environmental regulations that not only protect the environment, but also public health.

4.2.8 Property Values

Due to the location of the project in a rural area, the large buffer area surrounding the existing landfill and proposed transfer station facility, and the fact that the nature of the proposed activities is consistent with existing activities at the project site, it is not anticipated that the proposed project will have a significant impact on property values in the area. Property value information will be obtained from Cortland County to determine trends in property values in the vicinity of the project site and, based on this information, any changes in these trends due to the proposed project will be discussed in the DEIS.

4.2.9 Utilities

Additional utilities will be required at the site in order to provide electrical service to the proposed transfer station. The existing utilities available at the site and the ability of these existing utilities to service the proposed transfer station will be evaluated in the DEIS.

4.2.10 Historic and Archaeological Resources

Site disturbance associated with the construction of the transfer station has the potential to impact any historic or archaeological resources located within the disturbance area. The NYS Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) Public Access Online Tool has already been utilized to determine the potential for the presence of an area designated as sensitive for archaeological sites and no such sites were found within or adjacent to the proposed transfer station facility site. A Phase I A/B archaeological investigation has also been completed and submitted to SHPO for review and a letter of no impact has been received. The results of the study and all correspondence with SHPO will be included and discussed in the DEIS.

4.2.11 Visual Setting

Impacts to the visual setting would be associated only with the transfer station construction, as no changes to the permitted height or limits of the existing Cortland County Landfill are proposed. The Draft EIS will include a review of impacts on aesthetic resources consistent with DECs 7-31-00 guidance policy entitled Assessing and Mitigating Visual Impacts. The existing visual setting will be described and, where



appropriate, depicted with photographs taken during leaf-off conditions from selected vantage points, including any potentially historic structures and any significant scenic/aesthetic resources. In addition, a visual simulation for the transfer station will be prepared using digital photographs taken during leaf-off conditions from selected vantage points. A baseline viewshed map will also be prepared for the site, to depict locations within a five mile radius of the site that could potentially see the transfer station upon completion of construction. The baseline viewshed map will be prepared using GIS software and topographic information to determine the screening effects of topography on the view of the site within a five mile radius. The potential screening effects of vegetation will not be factored into this viewshed analysis, thereby providing a worst case assessment of the baseline viewshed area. An inventory of significant scenic and aesthetic resources located within a five mile radius of the landfill site will be compiled based on the sources listed in the DECs Assessing and Mitigating Visual Impacts guidance policy. The baseline viewshed map will be utilized to determine whether the facility, as proposed, could be visible from any such inventoried scenic/aesthetic resources. This comparison will form the basis of the visual impact assessment of the proposed transfer station.

4.2.12 Noise Analysis

The current landfill operations are part of the existing ambient noise environment at the site. Although the current operations produce noise, the potential exists for increased operational noise at nearby off-site locations as a result of the proposed increased tonnage limit and the operation of the transfer station.

Existing noise level data will be utilized where applicable. Additional noise levels will be measured at selected site boundaries and at potential sensitive receptors (where access is available) near the landfill site, if necessary. Significant noise sources (e.g., equipment and facility operations, on-site and off-site traffic) at each location will be identified. If measurements are necessary, noise meters that measure and record A-weighted sound levels will be used. Noise level readings will be recorded every thirty seconds for a minimum of thirty minutes at each noise reading location. A-weighted L eq energy equivalent sound levels will be calculated based on the noise readings. The noise meters will be calibrated and operated in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Field measurements of wind speed, temperature and relative humidity will be recorded to verify that weather conditions are within acceptable operating parameters for each noise meter. Potential noise



impacts will be assessed in accordance with DEC guidance for undertaking noise assessments.

Noise readings taken during the operation of comparable equipment and facilities, as well as manufacturer-specified or noise level limits for operating equipment, will be used as inputs to a noise model that will be used to predict future noise levels at the site boundaries and at any nearby sensitive receptors that may be identified. The impact of potential noise mitigation measures can also be evaluated and selected for incorporation in the proposed project[s] during this noise modeling effort, if the initial noise level predictions result in unacceptable noise levels.

Several mitigation measures are available for use in minimizing the impact of additional noise, if any, from the operations associated with the tonnage increase and/or the transfer station operation. Mitigation measures include orienting exhausts away from potential receptors and the use vegetation for barriers. All of these measures will be evaluated for this facility in the DEIS, and appropriate mitigation measures will be recommended as needed.

4.2.13 Fiscal Analysis

Impacts associated with the fiscal fitness of Cortland County for the proposed Partnership are expected to be positive due to the benefits outlined in Section 2 above. However, the fiscal impacts of the proposed Partnership will be evaluated fully within the DEIS.

4.3 Onondaga County Potential Impacts

4.3.1 Impacts Previously Addressed by SEQR

The WTE Facility has previously undergone a full environmental review prior to construction that included the completion of a DEIS, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and a Statement of Findings. Because the proposal to accept Cortland County-generated waste at the WTE Facility would not require OCRRA to operate the Facility outside of its existing permit limits, a majority of the findings included in the original FEIS are still valid. For this reason, findings associated with topics such as site setting, geology, soils, topography, water resources, air quality, terrestrial ecology, traffic (ingress and egress from the facility), land use, zoning, community services, demography, cultural and historic resources, occupational health and safety, noise, economics, odors, energy, unavoidable adverse impacts, irreversible/irretrievable resources, siting alternatives, disposal alternatives, management alternatives, and



technological alternatives will be relied upon for the review of continued use of the facility within its permit limits. The DEIS will assess whether additional information on any of these topics is required for a complete review.

4.3.2 Population

The project is not anticipated to have any impacts to population growth in the vicinity of the WTE facility, as no changes in overall facility operation or permitted scale are proposed, however, population trends must be assessed to ensure that changes in population will not affect the proposed scope and scale of the Partnership. Population data and estimates for Onondaga County will be obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and the NYS Data Center, if available. Population projections, and other growth projections for the community (if any), will be obtained from State or local agencies.

A screening of environmental justice considerations will be undertaken using maps prepared by the DECs Office of Environmental Justice. If the proposed Partnership triggers environmental justice considerations based on a review of aforesaid maps, then demographic and economic information will be gathered from public domain sources to conduct the environmental justice review in accordance with the DEC Commissioners Policy 29 Environmental Justice and Permitting that was issued on March 19, 2003.

4.3.3 Public Health

The proposed Partnership involves a number of activities including operations at the WTE Facility that may be perceived as presenting a potential impact to public health. Health impacts were assessed during the initial environmental review of the WTE facility. However, consistent with SEQR, the DEIS will discuss these public health concerns as part of a review of potential impacts resulting from solid waste management activities. The DEIS will incorporate the findings of the most recent Community Health Assessment prepared by the Onondaga County Health Department. The DEIS will also discuss relevant environmental regulations that not only protect the environment, but also public health.

4.3.4 Fiscal Analysis

Impacts associated with the fiscal fitness of OCRRA and Onondaga County for the proposed Partnership are expected to be positive due to



the benefits outlined in Section 2. However, the fiscal impacts of the proposed Partnership will be evaluated fully within the DEIS.

5 Reasonable Alternatives to Be Considered

5.1 No Action Alternative

This section will evaluate the no action alternative for both Cortland and Onondaga Counties. This would evaluate the continued use of the Cortland County Landfill solely for the disposal of Cortland County-generated waste, and the use of the OCRRA WTE Facility solely for the processing of Onondaga County-generated waste.

5.2 Cortland County Flow Control Alternative

This section will evaluate the no action alternative described above, with the addition of the implementation of flow control within Cortland County. This would involve the adoption of a County law to require that all waste generated within Cortland County be disposed of at the Cortland County Landfill. The impacts associated with an increased waste quantities and the possibility of enforcement options will be addressed. It would be assessed independently of options for the management of Onondaga County-generated waste.

5.3 Cortland County Landfill Sale or Lease

This section will evaluate the option of selling or leasing the Cortland County Landfill to a private company to decrease the financial burden on Cortland County. The County has previously studied this option and the previous analysis will be summarized. This scenario would be independent of Onondaga County-generated waste management.

5.4 Alternative Cortland County Transfer Station Sites

This section will evaluate potential alternative transfer station sites within Cortland County, while assuming all other components of the proposed Partnership remain as described above. The availability of alternative sites and impacts associated with traffic and site disturbance will be evaluated.

5.5 Onondaga County Resource Recovery Facility Ash Residue Disposal Site Alternatives

This section will evaluate the no action alternative, with the addition of and assessment of the alternative sites for the disposal of the WTE Facility ash



residue. This will be evaluated independently of the management of Cortland County-generated waste.

5.6 Alternative Cortland County Waste Disposal Technologies

This section will evaluate the option for implementing alternative waste disposal technologies for the Cortland County-generated waste such as pyrolysis, gasification, mixed MSW composting, mechanical/biological treatment, and anaerobic digestion.



6 Additional Draft EIS Contents

The SEQR regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617) establish the elements that must be contained in a DEIS. In addition to those discussed above, the following elements will be included in the DEIS.

6.1 Summary of Proposed Action

The purpose of the Partnership and the public need for the Partnership will be described, including environmental, social, and economic considerations. Site location maps with property ownership information for parcels on which the facilities are located and for adjacent parcels, as well as a site plan will be included to supplement this description. This section will include a brief description of the site/facility history, a detailed description of the proposed Partnership and associated actions, and a summary of Partnership benefits, potentially significant adverse impacts, mitigation measures, and alternatives.

6.2 Cumulative Impacts

This section will include an evaluation of impacts associated with the entire Partnership as a whole, as described in Section 4.1.

6.3 Growth-Inducing Impacts

This section will examine the potential effects that the proposed Partnership may have on community growth, both residential and commercial. It will also include economic benefits that a long-term solid waste management partnership may have on the surrounding communities and Cortland and Onondaga Counties as a whole.

6.4 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts

Potentially significant adverse environmental impacts for which mitigation measures are either not available or not feasible will be described in this section of the DEIS. The extent and significance of any unavoidable adverse impacts will be discussed.

6.5 Non-Significant Impacts

Impacts associated with the currently approved and permitted landfill and WTE facility operations, including impacts associated with operation of these facilities within their current permit limits are considered part of the baseline (i.e., existing) conditions. These will not be analyzed in the DEIS.



6.6 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources

This section will examine effects the proposed project may have on finite resources, such as land, that cannot be replaced or easily restored. The quality and availability of these resources that surround the landfill site, the property as a whole, and the County and region will be addressed.

6.7 References

A reference section within the DEIS will be used to support the analyses presented. Preparation dates and summaries of relevant studies and reports previously prepared for the proposed project and/or facilities will be cited in appropriate sections of the DEIS.



7 Preliminary List of DEIS Appendices

Provided below is a list of studies, documents, or investigations that are anticipated to be discussed in the DEIS and subsequently included as appendices to that document. This list is subject to change.

Cortland County Noise Analysis

Cortland County Transfer Station Visual Impact Assessment

Air Quality Report

Correspondence with NYSDEC Natural Heritage Program and USFWS regarding Cortland County

Cortland County Wetland Delineation and Correspondence

Transportation Analysis

Cortland County Archaeological Reports and Correspondence

Cortland County 6 NYCRR Part 360 Permit Application Documents

Onondaga County Resource Recovery Facility Solid Waste (Part 360) and Air (Title V) Permits



8 Preliminary Table of Contents

Attached to this DSD (Attachment B) is a preliminary table of contents for the DEIS. This table of contents is subject to change as the project studies progress.

Appendix A

Full Environmental Assessment Form

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Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 - Project and Setting

Instructions for Completing Part 1

Part 1 is to be completed by the applicant or project sponsor. Responses become part of the application for approval or funding, are subject to public review, and may be subject to further verification.

Complete Part 1 based on information currently available. If additional research or investigation would be needed to fully respond to any item, please answer as thoroughly as possible based on current information; indicate whether missing information does not exist, or is not reasonably available to the sponsor; and, when possible, generally describe work or studies which would be necessary to update or fully develop that information.

Applicants/sponsors must complete all items in Sections A & B. In Sections C, D & E, most items contain an initial question that must be answered either Yes or No. If the answer to the initial question is Yes, complete the sub-questions that follow. If the answer to the initial question is No, proceed to the next question. Section F allows the project sponsor to identify and attach any additional information. Section G requires the name and signature of the project sponsor to verify that the information contained in Part 1is accurate and complete.

A. Project and Sponsor Information.

Name of Action or Project:

Project Location (describe, and attach a general location map):

Brief Description of Proposed Action (include purpose or need):

Name of Applicant/Sponsor: Telephone:

E-Mail:

Address:

City/PO: State: Zip Code:

Project Contact (if not same as sponsor; give name and title/role): Telephone:

E-Mail:

Address:


Property Owner (if not same as sponsor): Telephone: E-Mail:

Address:


Cortland County, Onondaga County and the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) are proposing to enter into a Regional Solid WastePartnership to improve management of solid waste within Cortland and Onondaga Counties. See attachment at the end of this form for further description of theproposed action.

No site development or permit modifications are proposed in Onondaga County. Therefore, answers in this EAF regarding a specific site will focus onthe Cortland County Landfill site unless otherwise indicated (see the more detailed outline of the Action and anticipated impacts attached hereto).

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B. Government Approvals

B. Government Approvals Funding, or Sponsorship. (Funding includes grants, loans, tax relief, and any other forms of financial assistance.)

Government Entity If Yes: Identify Agency and Approval(s) Required

Application Date (Actual or projected)

a. City Council, Town Board, Yes No or Village Board of Trustees

b. City, Town or Village Yes No Planning Board or Commission

c. City Council, Town or Yes No Village Zoning Board of Appeals

d. Other local agencies Yes No

e. County agencies Yes No

f. Regional agencies Yes No

g. State agencies Yes No

h. Federal agencies Yes No

i. Coastal Resources. i. Is the project site within a Coastal Area, or the waterfront area of a Designated Inland Waterway? Yes No If Yes, ii. Is the project site located in a community with an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program? Yes No iii. Is the project site within a Coastal Erosion Hazard Area? Yes No

C. Planning and Zoning

C.1. Planning and zoning actions. Will administrative or legislative adoption, or amendment of a plan, local law, ordinance, rule or regulation be the Yes No only approval(s) which must be granted to enable the proposed action to proceed?

If Yes, complete sections C, F and G. If No, proceed to question C.2 and complete all remaining sections and questions in Part 1

C.2. Adopted land use plans.

a. Do any municipally- adopted (city, town, village or county) comprehensive land use plan(s) include the site Yes No where the proposed action would be located? If Yes, does the comprehensive plan include specific recommendations for the site where the proposed action Yes No would be located? b. Is the site of the proposed action within any local or regional special planning district (for example: Greenway Yes No

Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA); designated State or Federal heritage area; watershed management plan; or other?)

If Yes, identify the plan(s): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Is the proposed action located wholly or partially within an area listed in an adopted municipal open space plan, Yes No or an adopted municipal farmland protection plan? If Yes, identify the plan(s): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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C.3. Zoning

a. Is the site of the proposed action located in a municipality with an adopted zoning law or ordinance. Yes No If Yes, what is the zoning classification(s) including any applicable overlay district? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b. Is the use permitted or allowed by a special or conditional use permit? Yes No

c. Is a zoning change requested as part of the proposed action? Yes No If Yes, i. What is the proposed new zoning for the site? ___________________________________________________________________

C.4. Existing community services.

a. In what school district is the project site located? ________________________________________________________________

b. What police or other public protection forces serve the project site? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Which fire protection and emergency medical services serve the project site? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

d. What parks serve the project site? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. Project Details

D.1. Proposed and Potential Development

a. What is the general nature of the proposed action (e.g., residential, industrial, commercial, recreational; if mixed, include all components)? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ b. a. Total acreage of the site of the proposed action? _____________ acres b. Total acreage to be physically disturbed? _____________ acres c. Total acreage (project site and any contiguous properties) owned or controlled by the applicant or project sponsor? _____________ acres

c. Is the proposed action an expansion of an existing project or use? Yes No i. If Yes, what is the approximate percentage of the proposed expansion and identify the units (e.g., acres, miles, housing units,

square feet)? % ____________________ Units: ____________________ d. Is the proposed action a subdivision, or does it include a subdivision? Yes No If Yes, i. Purpose or type of subdivision? (e.g., residential, industrial, commercial; if mixed, specify types) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ii. Is a cluster/conservation layout proposed? Yes No iii. Number of lots proposed? ________ iv. Minimum and maximum proposed lot sizes? Minimum __________ Maximum __________ e. Will proposed action be constructed in multiple phases? Yes No i. If No, anticipated period of construction: _____ months ii. If Yes:

Total number of phases anticipated _____ Anticipated commencement date of phase 1 (including demolition) _____ month _____ year Anticipated completion date of final phase _____ month _____year Generally describe connections or relationships among phases, including any contingencies where progress of one phase may

determine timing or duration of future phases: _______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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f. Does the project include new residential uses? Yes No If Yes, show numbers of units proposed. One Family Two Family Three Family Multiple Family (four or more)

Initial Phase ___________ ___________ ____________ ________________________ At completion of all phases ___________ ___________ ____________ ________________________

g. Does the proposed action include new non-residential construction (including expansions)? Yes No If Yes, i. Total number of structures ___________ ii. Dimensions (in feet) of largest proposed structure: ________height; ________width; and _______ length iii. Approximate extent of building space to be heated or cooled: ______________________ square feet

h. Does the proposed action include construction or other activities that will result in the impoundment of any Yes No liquids, such as creation of a water supply, reservoir, pond, lake, waste lagoon or other storage?

If Yes, i. Purpose of the impoundment: ________________________________________________________________________________ ii. If a water impoundment, the principal source of the water: Ground water Surface water streams Other specify: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ iii. If other than water, identify the type of impounded/contained liquids and their source. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ iv. Approximate size of the proposed impoundment. Volume: ____________ million gallons; surface area: ____________ acres v. Dimensions of the proposed dam or impounding structure: ________ height; _______ length vi. Construction method/materials for the proposed dam or impounding structure (e.g., earth fill, rock, wood, concrete): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D.2. Project Operations a. Does the proposed action include any excavation, mining, or dredging, during construction, operations, or both? Yes No (Not including general site preparation, grading or installation of utilities or foundations where all excavated materials will remain onsite) If Yes: i .What is the purpose of the excavation or dredging? _______________________________________________________________ ii. How much material (including rock, earth, sediments, etc.) is proposed to be removed from the site?

Volume (specify tons or cubic yards): ____________________________________________ Over what duration of time? ____________________________________________________

iii. Describe nature and characteristics of materials to be excavated or dredged, and plans to use, manage or dispose of them. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ iv. Will there be onsite dewatering or processing of excavated materials? Yes No If yes, describe. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ v. What is the total area to be dredged or excavated? _____________________________________acres vi. What is the maximum area to be worked at any one time? _______________________________ acres vii. What would be the maximum depth of excavation or dredging? __________________________ feet viii. Will the excavation require blasting? Yes No ix. Summarize site reclamation goals and plan: _____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b. Would the proposed action cause or result in alteration of, increase or decrease in size of, or encroachment Yes No into any existing wetland, waterbody, shoreline, beach or adjacent area? If Yes: i. Identify the wetland or waterbody which would be affected (by name, water index number, wetland map number or geographic

description): ______________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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ii. Describe how the proposed action would affect that waterbody or wetland, e.g. excavation, fill, placement of structures, oralteration of channels, banks and shorelines. Indicate extent of activities, alterations and additions in square feet or acres:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

iii. Will proposed action cause or result in disturbance to bottom sediments? Yes NoIf Yes, describe: __________________________________________________________________________________________

iv. Will proposed action cause or result in the destruction or removal of aquatic vegetation? Yes No If Yes:

a of vegetation proposed to be removed ________________________________________________________________expected acreage of aquatic vegetation remaining after project completion ________________________________________purpose of proposed removal (e.g. beach clearing, invasive species control, boat access): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

proposed method of plant removal: ________________________________________________________________________if chemical/herbicide treatment will be used, specify product(s): _________________________________________________

v. Describe any proposed reclamation/mitigation following disturbance: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Will the proposed action use, or create a new demand for water? Yes No If Yes:

i. Total anticipated water usage/demand per day: __________________________ gallons/dayii. Will the proposed action obtain water from an existing public water supply? Yes No

If Yes: Name of district or service area: _________________________________________________________________________Does the existing public water supply have capacity to serve the proposal? Yes No Is the project site in the existing district? Yes No Is expansion of the district needed? Yes No Do existing lines serve the project site? Yes No

iii. Will line extension within an existing district be necessary to supply the project? Yes No If Yes:

Describe extensions or capacity expansions proposed to serve this project: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Source(s) of supply for the district: ________________________________________________________________________

iv. Is a new water supply district or service area proposed to be formed to serve the project site? Yes No If, Yes:

Applicant/sponsor for new district: ________________________________________________________________________Date application submitted or anticipated: __________________________________________________________________Proposed source(s) of supply for new district: _______________________________________________________________

v. If a public water supply will not be used, describe plans to provide water supply for the project: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

vi. If water supply will be from wells (public or private), maximum pumping capacity: _______ gallons/minute.

d. Will the proposed action generate liquid wastes? Yes No If Yes:

i. Total anticipated liquid waste generation per day: _______________ gallons/dayii. Nature of liquid wastes to be generated (e.g., sanitary wastewater, industrial; if combination, describe all components and

approximate volumes or proportions of each): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

iii. Will the proposed action use any existing public wastewater treatment facilities? Yes No If Yes:

Name of wastewater treatment plant to be used: _____________________________________________________________Name of district: ______________________________________________________________________________________Does the existing wastewater treatment plant have capacity to serve the project? Yes No

Is the project site in the existing district? Yes No Is expansion of the district needed? Yes No

City of Cortland Wastewater Treatment Plant or another approved facility

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Do existing sewer lines serve the project site? Yes No Will line extension within an existing district be necessary to serve the project? Yes No If Yes:

Describe extensions or capacity expansions proposed to serve this project: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

iv. Will a new wastewater (sewage) treatment district be formed to serve the project site? Yes No If Yes:

Applicant/sponsor for new district: ____________________________________________________________________Date application submitted or anticipated: _______________________________________________________________What is the receiving water for the wastewater discharge? __________________________________________________

v. If public facilities will not be used, describe plans to provide wastewater treatment for the project, including specifying proposed receiving water (name and classification if surface discharge, or describe subsurface disposal plans): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

vi. Describe any plans or designs to capture, recycle or reuse liquid waste: _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

e. Will the proposed action disturb more than one acre and create stormwater runoff, either from new point Yes No sources (i.e. ditches, pipes, swales, curbs, gutters or other concentrated flows of stormwater) or non-point

source (i.e. sheet flow) during construction or post construction? If Yes:

i. How much impervious surface will the project create in relation to total size of project parcel? _____ Square feet or _____ acres (impervious surface) _____ Square feet or _____ acres (parcel size)

ii. Describe types of new point sources. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

iii. Where will the stormwater runoff be directed (i.e. on-site stormwater management facility/structures, adjacent properties,groundwater, on-site surface water or off-site surface waters)?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If to surface waters, identify receiving water bodies or wetlands: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Will stormwater runoff flow to adjacent properties? Yes No

iv. Does proposed plan minimize impervious surfaces, use pervious materials or collect and re-use stormwater? Yes No f. Does the proposed action include, or will it use on-site, one or more sources of air emissions, including fuel Yes No

combustion, waste incineration, or other processes or operations?If Yes, identify:

i. Mobile sources during project operations (e.g., heavy equipment, fleet or delivery vehicles)_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ii. Stationary sources during construction (e.g., power generation, structural heating, batch plant, crushers)________________________________________________________________________________________________________

iii. Stationary sources during operations (e.g., process emissions, large boilers, electric generation)________________________________________________________________________________________________________

g. Will any air emission sources named in D.2.f (above), require a NY State Air Registration, Air Facility Permit, Yes No or Federal Clean Air Act Title IV or Title V Permit?

If Yes: i. Is the project site located in an Air quality non-attainment area? (Area routinely or periodically fails to meet Yes No

ambient air quality standards for all or some parts of the year)ii. In addition to emissions as calculated in the application, the project will generate:

___________Tons/year ( ) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2)___________Tons/year ( ) of Nitrous Oxide (N2 )___________Tons/year ( ) of Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)___________Tons/year ( ) of Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)___________Tons/year ( ) of Carbon Dioxide equivalent of Hydroflo rocarbons (H )___________Tons/year ( ) of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

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h. Will the proposed action generate or emit methane (including, but not limited to, sewage treatment plants, Yes No landfills, composting facilities)?

If Yes: i. Estimate methane generation in tons/year (metric): ________________________________________________________________ii. Describe any methane capture, control or elimination measures included in project design (e.g., combustion to generate heat or

electricity, flaring): _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

i. Will the proposed action result in the release of air pollutants from open-air operations or processes, such as Yes No quarry or landfill operations?

If Yes: Describe operations and nature of emissions (e.g., diesel exhaust, rock particulates/

ash for trash draft scoping document

Documents

proposed project

waste transportation

ocrra waste

local solid waste laws

air resources

geologic resources

water resources

ecological resources