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Record Of Decision <br />increased debris loadings to stormwater conveyance systems and increased particulate loadings in runoff <br />entering receiving waters. <br />Water Resources -Operational Impacts <br />Currently, both of the alternative sites are fully developed and covered almost entirely by impervious <br />surfaces, including rooftops and parking lots. Based on preliminary designs, construction of the <br />courthouse on either of the alternative sites is expected to maintain or slightly reduce the amount of <br />onsite impervious surface area. Either of the alternatives could result in a slight reduction in runoff flow <br />rates and volumes, resulting from the conversion of a greater proportion of impervious surfaces into <br />pervious surfaces. <br />Biological Resources <br />Although no in-water construction activities are planned under either of the alternatives, there is the <br />potential for impacts on fish resulting from sedimentation generated on construction sites and pollutants <br />from spills entering the rivers and degrading water quality. Impacts on fisheries could be avoided by <br />maintaining a spill control plan and implementing best management practices for stormwater runoff <br />during construction. <br />Both of the alternative sites have been developed previously and are highly urbanized. Loss of <br />landscaped areas on any of the alternative sites would have minimal impact upon wildlife present, which <br />- consists predominantly of small mammals and birds adapted to urban habitats. No significant adverse <br />impact on threatened or endangered species would result from either of the action alternatives. <br />Construction of the courthouse facility would require land clearing and removal of some trees on either <br />of the alternative sites. <br />!, Historic and Cultural Resources <br />The Riverfront site in Springfield (Alternative 1, option A) includes three buildings that appear eligible <br />for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a historic commercial district. These <br />buildings include Ruthie B's Antiques (100 Main Street), Stephen's planing mill (124 Mill Street), and <br />Bright Oak Meats (130 Mill Street). Construction on the larger Riverfront site would result in the <br />removal of these three potentially historic properties. The survey of historic buildings conducted for the <br />courthouse project identified a potential historic district that would include these buildings, extending <br />from Main and Mill streets eastward along Main Street. Two additional residential buildings of <br />potentially historic significance are located on the blocks surrounding this site. <br />The smaller of the two Riverfront site options (Alternative 1, option B) would avoid the three buildings <br />potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. <br />The Chiquita (formerly Agripac) site in Eugene (Alternative 2) is adjacent to the Agripac office <br />building, which is potentially eligible for National. Register listing. Construction Alternative 2 would <br />cause a direct adverse impact on the integrity of that potentially historic building by altering its setting. <br />Five additional potentially historically significant buildings are located on the blocks surrounding this <br />site. Impacts on historic resources under Alternative 2 would be similar for options A and B. <br />No other significant unavoidable adverse impacts on cultural or historic resources are expected to result <br />from construction of the courthouse at either of the alternative sites. <br />-' Aesthetics <br />The scale of the new courthouse would be larger than any existing structure on or adjacent to any of the <br />alternative sites. The new courthouse would be similar in scale to the largest existing buildings in <br />downtown Eugene. <br />New Federal Courthouse Page 3 of 8 March 2001 <br />_ _ _ _ <br />