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Air Quality <br />amounts of particulates. All particulate emissions from construction activities would be <br />temporary and would not interfere with attainment or maintenance of air quality standards. <br />Particulates also can become airborne when vehicles track dust and soil off the site, depositing <br />material on adjacent streets. In addition, traffic in and around the site, including vehicles of <br />workers traveling to and from the site, would increase vehicle emissions. Minimal increases in <br />airborne particulates from this traffic in and around the site could also be expected. Potential <br />impacts from these sources would also be of short duration and would not interfere with <br />attainment status or maintenance of long-term air quality standards. <br />Parking at the proposed facility would generate emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, <br />and nitrogen oxide. If underground parking is used, it would concentrate emissions at entrance <br />and exit areas, and possibly where the area is vented. Emissions would be greatest during the <br />afternoon peak hour when the highest number of vehicle cold starts would occur. However, <br />improved emission-control equipment installed on late-model vehicles should ensure that <br />pollutant impacts associated with the parking garage would not be significant. With a parking <br />capacity limited to 80 vehicles, sources of vehicle emissions would be minimal at any of the <br />alternative sites. If additional surface parking is provided, vehicle emissions would increase, <br />although not to a level of significance. <br />Information on existing contamination at the alternative sites is provided in the hazardous <br />materials section of this EIS. Any potentially contaminated soils or water at the selected site <br />would be identified, and remedial action would be taken before project construction begins. In <br />that event, or in the event that contaminated media are exposed during construction activities, <br />contaminated vapors could pose a health risk. Federal and state standards and guidelines have <br />been established for excavating underground storage tanks, cleaning up contaminated soils and <br />water, wearing appropriate clothing and breathing apparatus, and other procedures intended to <br />prevent adverse health impacts. Potential health impacts and mitigation measures are discussed <br />in the hazardous materials section. <br />No significant adverse air quality impacts would be expected under the no-action alternative. <br />Potential Mitigation Measures <br />,, The following measures, most of which are required by Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority <br />regulations, could be taken to minimize airborne dust and other materials during construction <br />activities: <br />^ Apply water or safe chemicals to control dust during parking lot <br />demolition, land clearing, grading, and construction. <br />New Federal Courthouse 91 Final EIS <br />~,; <br />C' <br />