Final Environmental Impact Statement - New Federal Courthouse

New Search

Public Services and Utilities Construction at the Riverfront site would likely require relocation of several of the overhead and underground electrical distribution lines that currently serve the properties in the project area. No other disruptions to the electrical supply system are expected to result from construction or operation of this alternative. Selection of this alternative would not result in a significant impact on the electrical system in the project area. The high-pressure natural gas line that runs along the western boundary of the Riverfront site would not be disturbed during construction for this alternative. Two additional low-pressure lines near the southern edge of the property would be removed or replaced as needed. These lines serve only the site itself, and their removal would not cause disruption of service outside the property. Selection of this alternative would not result in a significant impact on the natural gas distribution system in the project area. Development of Alternative 1 would require the removal or relocation of existing water supply lines that currently feed the existing properties on the Riverfront site. These lines serve only the site itself, and any disturbance would cause no disruption of service outside the property. Likewise, sanitary sewer lines that currently serve the area would be removed or relocated as needed. One of the existing sanitary sewer lines that may be disturbed during project construction appears to serve a few properties north of the site. This line may be disturbed during construction, depending on the final design plan and project location, and therefore could result in minor short-term impacts on adjacent properties. Overall, selection of this alternative would not result in significant long-term impacts on the water supply or sanitary sewer systems in the project area. Development of Alternative 1 would not result in significant disturbance of existing stormwater conveyance systems. Only lines that serve the Riverfront site itself might be disturbed, and these would be replaced as needed to serve the proposed courthouse. In addition, because most of the existing site has impervious surfaces, no significant increase in stormwater conveyance system capacity is anticipated. AT&T owns and operates several aerial lines in the Riverfront site vicinity, but none of these is expected to be disturbed by construction under this alternative. Any disturbance to telephone or cable systems should occur within the site boundaries and therefore would not be significant. Development of the Riverfront site would not result in any significant impact on cable transmission lines. Alternative 2, Option A (Preferred Alternative) and Option B Public Services Selection of Alternative 2, the Chiquita (formerly Agripac) site in Eugene, would not significantly affect public services. The city of Eugene currently has adequate police, fire, and emergency medical services coverage. Because development of the proposed project would not expand the functions of the federal agencies housed at the facility, the project would not result in a major increase in the demand for public services. New Federal Courthouse 147 Final EIS