Environment Supplemental to Chapter 5

The Planning Process, pg. 131

2

Environmental Analysis Introduction The following maps have been developed to supplement the material in the Environmental section in Chapter 5 of MOVE 2040. Each map shows the MOVE 2040 projects overlaid on the following resources: watersheds, water resources, critical habitat for endangered species, and historical landmarks and districts. See the MOVE 2040 text for written descriptions of the watersheds, streams and wet-lands, wildlife resources and historic resources in the WAMPO region.

Most of the projects in MOVE 2040 involve the rehabilitation or modernization of existing facilities. There are only a few projects that involve the construction of new facilities in environmentally sensitive areas. Following the maps are reviews of any projects in-volving significant new facilities that might affect that type of resource and potential mitigation strategies that might be employed for such projects.

3

Significant new roadway construction projects in the WAMPO region that could affect water resources and watersheds include the Northwest Bypass and the Arkansas River crossing portion of the 95th Street South from K-15 to US-81 project. Mitigation strategies for watersheds could include:

Building bridges in sensitive areas instead of laying pavement directly onto the ground.

Constructing stormwater detention basins to control the rate of water discharge.

Daylighting streams instead of channeling into underground culvert pipes.

Replacing or restoring wetlands.

Putting material into one area of a floodway and taking it out of a different area.

4

Significant new roadway construction projects in the WAMPO region that could affect critical habitat for endangered species includes the Arkansas River crossing portion of the 95th Street South from K-15 to US-81 project. Mitigation strategies for such critical habitat could include:

Selective cutting and clearing of trees.

Bridging sensitive areas instead of laying pavement directly onto the ground.

Replacing or restoring forested areas.

Replacing or restoring wetlands.

Providing wildlife crossings and fish passages.

5

No significant new roadway construction projects in the WAMPO region have been identified that would affect historic landmarks or districts.

6

For additional information please contact:

Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

271 W. 3rd Street, Ste. 208 Wichita, KS 67202

Phone: 316-268-4315

E-Mail: wampo@wichita.gov Web: www.wampo.org

7