HomeMy WebLinkAbout6_ECF_BW_SEPA_Checklist_20230316_v1
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 14
SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST
Purpose of checklist:
Governmental agencies use this checklist to help determine whether the environmental impacts of your
proposal are significant. This information is also helpful to determine if available avoidance, minimization
or compensatory mitigation measures will address the probable significant impacts or if an environmental
impact statement will be prepared to further analyze the proposal.
Instructions for applicants:
This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. Please
answer each question accurately and carefully, to the best of your knowledge. You may need to consult
with an agency specialist or private consultant for some questions. You may use “not applicable” or
"does not apply" only when you can explain why it does not apply and not when the answer is unknown.
You may also attach or incorporate by reference additional studies reports. Complete and accurate
answers to these questions often avoid delays with the SEPA process as well as later in the decision-
making process.
The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal, even if you plan to do them over a period of
time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help describe your proposal
or its environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist may ask you to explain your
answers or provide additional information reasonably related to determining if there may be significant
adverse impact.
Instructions for Lead Agencies:
Please adjust the format of this template as needed. Additional information may be necessary to
evaluate the existing environment, all interrelated aspects of the proposal and an analysis of adverse
impacts. The checklist is considered the first but not necessarily the only source of information needed to
make an adequate threshold determination. Once a threshold determination is made, the lead agency is
responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the checklist and other supporting documents.
Use of checklist for nonproject proposals:
For nonproject proposals (such as ordinances, regulations, plans and programs), complete the applicable
parts of sections A and B plus the SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET FOR NONPROJECT ACTIONS (part D). Please
completely answer all questions that apply and note that the words "project," "applicant," and "property or
site" should be read as "proposal," "proponent," and "affected geographic area," respectively. The lead
agency may exclude (for non-projects) questions in Part B - Environmental Elements –that do not
contribute meaningfully to the analysis of the proposal.
A. Background [HELP]
1. Name of proposed project, if applicable:
Burnett Ave S & Williams Ave S Storm System Improvement
2. Name of applicant:
City of Renton, Surface Water Utility
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 2 of 14
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
Troy Solly, PE
Project Manager, Surface Water Utility, City of Renton
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
O: (425) 430-7313
C: (425) 757-4012
4. Date checklist prepared:
January 2022
5. Agency requesting checklist:
City of Renton, Surface Water Utility
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable):
Design and permitting through April 2023; construction in Summer 2023.
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain.
No.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal.
Critical Areas Report – to be completed
Geotechnical Report by Kleinfelder (Draft 2021)
Wetland Reconnaissance and Stream Delineation Report by The Watershed
Company (Final 2020)
Cultural Resources Assessment by Cascadia Archaeology (Final 2021)
9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other
proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain.
No.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
Right-of-Way (ROW) Permit, an Environmental Review, Shoreline Exemption
Permit, and Land Use Permit.
11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size
of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to
describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this
page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project
description.)
The City of Renton plans to improve water quality via treatment best
management practices (BMPs) and replace existing undersized stormwater
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 3 of 14
conveyance pipes with new larger pipes. The chosen BMPs include two MWS-
Linear Modular Wetland (ModWet) water quality treatment facilities. Two
existing stormwater trunk lines will be upsized. One new stormwater trunk line
will be added to reduce overflows and flooding. All proposed improvements
relate only to the underground stormwater conveyance and water quality
facilities. No changes are proposed to the basin characteristics. Surfaces
disturbed during construction will be replaced to match existing conditions.
Approximately 18,000 square feet (sf) of ground disturbance is anticipated and
the total project drainage area is 15.61 acres. All work will occur within the
public ROW.
12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise
location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and
range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or
boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic
map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you
are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications
related to this checklist.
Project improvements are proposed in downtown Renton along Burnett Ave S,
Williams Ave S, and S Tobin Street between the Cedar River to the north and S
Second Street to the south. One ModWet facility will be installed in S Tobin
Street and one in Williams Ave S. The upsizing of stormwater trunk lines will be
within Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S and a new trunk line will be installed in
S Tobin Street. The existing stormwater outfall pipe into the Cedar River will
remain.
B. Environmental Elements [HELP]
1. Earth [help]
a. General description of the site:
(circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, other _____________
b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)?
ROW slope = 1.3%
c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat,
muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any
agricultural land of long-term commercial significance and whether the proposal results in
removing any of these soils.
Loose to medium stiff silty fill, and loose to dense granular fill below pavement
sections, ranging from 7.5 to 15 ft thick.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 4 of 14
d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so,
describe.
No.
e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of
any filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate source of fill.
Proposed improvements relate only to underground conveyance and facilities.
All surfaces disturbed during construction will be replaced to match existing
conditions on the site. Approximately 18,000 sf of ground surface disturbance is
anticipated. Most newly installed pipe will be approximately 5 to 9 ft deep from
existing ground to bottom of pipe with the most downstream maintenance hole
being 13.5 ft deep. Water quality treatment facilities extend 10 ft below existing
ground surface. All fill will come from approved off-site sources and be per
WSDOT Standard Specifications.
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe.
No downstream flooding, erosion, ponding or other stormwater problems have
been observed or will be aggravated as it may related to this project. Temporary
Erosion and Sedimentation Control (ESC) are provided in the drawing plans for
this project.
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project
construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
Approximately 90 percent, the same as is currently impervious.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any:
A Construction Stormwater Pollutions Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been
prepared for this project.
2. Air [help]
a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction,
operation, and maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and
give approximate quantities if known.
Typical construction equipment (excavator, loader, small truck crane) will emit
exhaust and cause dust during construction.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so,
generally describe.
None.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any:
Equipment exhaust filters during construction.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 5 of 14
3. Water [help]
a. Surface Water: [help]
1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including
year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe
type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into.
The Cedar River is approximately 110 ft from the nearest proposed work. This
project is located within the floodplain of the Black River, near the historic
junction of the Cedar River and Black River. All new and existing pipes in this
drainage area discharge to the Cedar River through an existing outfall. Two
wetlands in or adjacent to the project area were identified during the wetland
reconnaissance and stream delineation study. The wetlands are classified as
Category III with low habitat function.
2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described
waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans.
The Cedar River is approximately 110 ft from the nearest proposed work; no
work is proposed within the Ordinary High-Water Mark (OHWM) of the Cedar
River and no work will occur at the existing outfall to the Cedar River. The two
wetlands and associated buffers are not anticipated to be impacted by work
associated with the proposed project since the project construction will not take
place within the wetlands and will occur only within existing developed ROWs,
which does not currently provide functional buffers.
3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed
from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected.
Indicate the source of fill material.
None.
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
No.
5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan.
No, most of the project area falls within a floodplain with an annual chance of
flood of 0.2% (1 in 500). Only the existing outfall, which is to remain, is located
within the 100-year floodplain.. The 100-year floodplain boundary is delineated
on the site improvement plans.
6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so,
describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge.
No.
b. Ground Water: [help]
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 6 of 14
1) Will groundwater be withdrawn from a well for drinking water or other purposes? If so,
give a general description of the well, proposed uses and approximate quantities
withdrawn from the well. Will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known.
None is anticipated; dewatering may be required in some of the deepest
trenches, but based upon the Geotechnical Report, groundwater is anticipated
to be deeper than the excavations
2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or
other sources, if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the
following chemicals. . . ; agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the
number of such systems, the number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the
number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve.
No.
c. Water runoff (including stormwater):
1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection
and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow?
Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe.
The site currently collects and conveys stormwater via curb and gutter to catch
basins and storm drains within Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S. The
collection and conveyance system will be replaced with new catch basins,
larger conveyance pipes, and two new ModWet water quality treatment facilities
sized to treat the water quality treatment flow from the entire 15.61 acre
drainage basin. The treated stormwater will discharge to the Cedar River
through an existing outfall.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe.
During construction, Temporary ESC measures as well as a spill control plan for
construction equipment will be implemented to reduce the possibility of waste
materials entering ground or surface waters.
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If
so, describe.
No.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage
pattern impacts, if any:
Implementation of the Temporary ESC plan during construction including catch
basin inserts, silt fencing, straw waddles, and/or sand bag berms as necessary .
Where existing pipes will be replaced, stormwater will be bypassed in temporary
systems.
4. Plants [help]
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 7 of 14
a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site:
__X__deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other
__X__evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other
__X__shrubs
__X__grass
____pasture
____crop or grain
____ Orchards, vineyards or other permanent crops.
____ wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other
____water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other
____other types of vegetation
b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
There may be minimal impact to the existing planter strips (grass and
ornamental trees) within the Right-of-Way. Disturbed areas will be replaced in-
kind.
c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
None.
d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance
vegetation on the site, if any:
Land disturbance to existing planter strips will be minimized; disturbed areas
will be replaced in-kind.
e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
Himalayan Blackberry.
5. Animals [help]
a. List any birds and other animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known
to be on or near the site.
Examples include:
birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other:
mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other:
fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other ________
Note: Bold & underline in list above denotes an observed or known
bird and/or animal on or near the site.
b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
Steelhead salmon and Bull Trout are known to be within the Cedar River and are
both Federally threatened and State candidate species.
c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 8 of 14
No.
d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any:
None.
e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site.
None.
6. Energy and Natural Resources [help]
a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet
the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating,
manufacturing, etc.
None – the project includes gravity storm drains and does not require any
energy.
b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties?
If so, generally describe.
No, all facilities are below grade.
c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal?
List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any:
None.
7. Environmental Health [help]
a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk
of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal?
If so, describe.
There are existing underground natural gas transmission lines located within
the ROW near the project alignment that have the potential to be hit during
trench excavation. However, negative impacts to identified natural gas
transmission lines during construction is highly unlikely with proper
construction methods.
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
None.
2) Describe existing hazardous chemicals/conditions that might affect project development
and design. This includes underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines
located within the project area and in the vicinity.
There are existing underground natural gas transmission lines located within
the ROW.
3) Describe any toxic or hazardous chemicals that might be stored, used, or produced
during the project's development or construction, or at any time during the operating
life of the project.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 9 of 14
None.
4) Describe special emergency services that might be required.
None.
5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any:
Natural gas transmission lines have been noted on the project plans, and
potholed along the project alignment to identify conflicts. Coordination with
natural gas utility has occurred throughout design and will continue during
construction to identify and resolve conflicts as necessary. Proposed project
improvements have been designed to minimize conflicts where feasible and
remaining conflicts have been identified on the project plans.
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment, operation, other)?
The project area is located in downtown Renton with typical traffic noise found
in commercial mixed-use areas.
2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a
short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indi-
cate what hours noise would come from the site.
During construction, equipment will be required for excavation, backfill,
roadway patching, and other construction activities to be completed during
allowable daytime work hours. Long-term, maintenance trucks and potentially
vactor trucks will be required on a semi-annual basis to maintain the water
quality facilities.
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any:
Equipment mufflers and sound enclosures may be utilized.
8. Land and Shoreline Use [help]
a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Will the proposal affect current
land uses on nearby or adjacent properties? If so, describe.
Current use is public Right-of-Way (ROW); proposal will not affect current land
use.
b. Has the project site been used as working farmlands or working forest lands? If so, describe.
How much agricultural or forest land of long-term commercial significance will be converted to
other uses as a result of the proposal, if any? If resource lands have not been designated,
how many acres in farmland or forest land tax status will be converted to nonfarm or
nonforest use?
No.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 10 of 14
1) Will the proposal affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land normal
business operations, such as oversize equipment access, the application of pesticides,
tilling, and harvesting? If so, how:
No.
c. Describe any structures on the site.
There are commercial, single-family residential, and multi-family residential
structures located along the ROW, none of which will be modified as part of the
proposal.
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what?
No.
e. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
Center Downtown (CD).
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
Commercial Mixed Use (CMU).
g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site?
Shoreline High Intensity Overlay District – Cedar River from the mouth to I-405.
h. Has any part of the site been classified as a critical area by the city or county? If so, specify.
Downtown Wellhead Protection Area Zone 1
High Seismic Hazard
Zone X – 500 year Flood Area
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
Zero.
j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace?
Zero.
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any:
None.
L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land
uses and plans, if any:
A Shoreline Exemption Permit will be obtained.
m. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts to agricultural and forest lands of long-term
commercial significance, if any:
None.
9. Housing [help]
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 11 of 14
a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, middle, or
low-income housing.
Zero.
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high,
middle, or low-income housing.
Zero.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any:
None.
10. Aesthetics [help]
a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is
the principal exterior building material(s) proposed?
All facilities are below grade.
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
None.
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any:
None.
11. Light and Glare [help]
a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly
occur?
None.
b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views?
No.
c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
None.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any:
None.
12. Recreation [help]
a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?
Walking paths along the Cedar River.
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe.
No.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation
opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any:
None.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 12 of 14
13. Historic and cultural preservation [help]
a. Are there any buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the site that are over 45 years
old listed in or eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers ? If so,
specifically describe.
A cultural resources investigation was completed for the project, and no
archaeological sites or TCPs were found.
b. Are there any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation?
This may include human burials or old cemeteries. Are there any material evidence, artifacts,
or areas of cultural importance on or near the site? Please list any professional studies
conducted at the site to identify such resources.
A cultural resources investigation was completed for the project, and no
archaeological sites or TCPs were found. See the “Cultural Resources
Assessment for the Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S Water Quality Retrofit
Project” by Cascadia Archaeology, DAHP Project No. 2020-12-07541.
c. Describe the methods used to assess the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources
on or near the project site. Examples include consultation with tribes and the department of
archeology and historic preservation, archaeological surveys, historic maps, GIS data, etc.
Consultation with Interested Tribes by Ecology, archival research of the Study
Area, and archaeological field work including monitoring four geotechnical
borings and excavation of nine trenches and three shovel-and-auger probes in
February 2021.
d. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, and disturbance
to resources. Please include plans for the above and any permits that may be required.
An Inadvertent Discovery Plan has been prepared for the project and will be
onsite for the Contractor to implement if needed during construction.
14. Transportation [help]
a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site or affected geographic area and
describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any.
The project is located within the public Right-of-Way of Burnett Ave S, Williams
Ave S, and S Tobin Street. Temporary traffic control measures will be
implemented during construction to maintain access.
b. Is the site or affected geographic area currently served by public transit? If so, generally
describe. If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop?
Yes; the Renton Transit Center is located approximately one block to the
southwest of the project site.
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal
have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate?
None – no parking modifications are proposed.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 13 of 14
d. Will the proposal require any new or improvements to existing roads, streets, pedestrian,
bicycle or state transportation facilities, not including driveways? If so, generally describe
(indicate whether public or private).
Some public curb ramp crossings will be upgraded to ADA standards as a part
of this project.
e. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air
transportation? If so, generally describe.
No.
f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project or proposal?
If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur and what percentage of the volume would
be trucks (such as commercial and nonpassenger vehicles). What data or transportation
models were used to make these estimates?
Upon completion, the two water quality facilities will require inspection
approximately twice annually, resulting in an additional trip for a maintenance
truck and possibly a vactor truck.
g. Will the proposal interfere with, affect or be affected by the movement of agricultural and
forest products on roads or streets in the area? If so, generally describe.
No.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any:
None.
15. Public Services [help]
a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection,
police protection, public transit, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe.
No.
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any.
None.
16. Utilities [help]
a. Circle utilities currently available at the site:
electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system,
other: Internet
b. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service,
and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might
be needed.
The project includes gravity storm drainage and does not require any utilities. Existing
utilities will remain in their current locations in general; however, some utilities may need
to be relocated to accommodate the storm drainage such as Puget Sound Energy gas
lines, City of Renton water lines, and City of Renton sewer lines.
C. Signature [HELP]
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 14 of 14
The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the
lead agency is relying on them to make its decision.
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Name of signee __________________________________________________
Position and Agency/Organization ____________________________________
Date Submitted: _____________
Troy Solly
Civil Engineer II, City of Renton
03/16/2023