Wetland Delineation Report: Enterprise Way, City of Rome, NY · investigation area but did show wetlands nearby (Figures 6 and 7) (USFWS 2014, NYSDEC 2002). ... (Carex praegracilis)

Wetland Delineation Report: Enterprise Way, City of Rome, NY

Prepared For:

Griffiss Local Development Corporation

584 Phoenix Dr.

Rome, NY 13441

Prepared By:

February 10, 2020; revised February 24, 2020

341 Tilbury Hill Rd. Endicott, NY 13760

www.parkesecological.com

Enterprise Way

Wetland Delineation Report

February 2020

ii

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1

2.0 WETLANDS .........................................................................................................................................1

2.1 METHODS .............................................................................................................................................1 2.2 DESKTOP ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................1 2.3 FIELD EVALUATION ..................................................................................................................................2

3.0 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................2

4.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................2

Figure 1: Site Location (Overview)

Figure 2: 1997 Historic Aerial Photograph




Figure 6: National Wetland Inventory Wetland Map

Figure 7: NYSDEC Wetlands and Streams

Figure 8: FEMA Flood Map

Figure 9: Natural Resource Conservation Soil Map

Figure 10: Topographic Map

Figure 11: Wetland Delineation Overview and Photo-points

Figure 12: Wetland Delineation Flags and Data Points

Figure 13: Wetland Delineation Flags and Data Points (North)

Figure 14: Wetland Delineation Flags and Data Points (South)

Figure 15: Cowardin Wetland Types

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Appendix A: Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Series Descriptions

Appendix B: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Field Forms

Appendix C: Site Photos

Appendix D: Delineators Qualifications

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1.0 Introduction This report communicates the results of a wetlands investigation on approximately 16.5 acres (the

site) on the former Griffiss Airforce Base that is being evaluated for potential development. The site

is located on an extension of Ellsworth Road in the City of Rome, Oneida County, New York and can

be accessed from Route 825 (Figure 1).

Between the 1950’s and base closure in 1997 the site served as an “alert apron” for B-52 Bombers. It

was predominantly covered in concrete and asphalt to support vehicles and auxiliary air force

structures during active operation. The road network served as access and parking for fuel tankers,

maintenance vehicles, automobiles, and other military trucks.

In the mid-2000’s the site was transferred to the local development corporation. The adjacent site to

the west remained in aviation use while the adjacent site to the east was subdivided and redeveloped

as a distribution center. During this period on-site buildings and roads were demolished and the site

is presently vacant. Historic aerial photographs during this time frame can be found on Figures 2-5.

2.0 Wetlands

2.1 Methods

A desktop analysis was performed before inspecting the site on the ground. This analysis included

inspecting aerial photos and topographic maps, gathering state (New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation {NYSDEC}) and federal (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service {USFWS})

wetland maps, and obtaining soil survey data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service

(NRCS).

A ground survey of the investigation area for jurisdictional wetlands (a.k.a. Waters of the United States

and Waters of the State) was performed on November 25th, 2019 and January 15th, 2020. Wetlands

and waters were delineated using the methodology contained in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(USACE) 1987 Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands, its 2011

Supplement, and the NYSDEC Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE 2011, NYSDEC 1995,

Environmental Laboratory 1987). Boundaries of wetlands/waters were flagged and recorded using a

hand held GPS with sub-meter precision (Trimble Geo-XT) and labeled alphanumerically.

2.2 Desktop Analysis

Neither National Wetland Inventory data nor NYSDEC Wetland Maps depicted wetlands within the

investigation area but did show wetlands nearby (Figures 6 and 7) (USFWS 2014, NYSDEC 2002).

The Site is outside of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Zones (Figure 8).

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil data indicated the soils are classified as urban

(NRCS 2018, Figure 9, Appendix A).

Topographic maps showed the investigation area as being generally flat, gently sloping south to north

(Figure 10).

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2.3 Field Evaluation

Two wetland patches totaling approximately 2.30 acres were delineated on-site (Figures 11- 14). The

wetlands are palustrine emergent with the northern patch (1.32 ac) being dominated by Phragmites

australis (common reed) and the southern patch (0.98 ac) dominated by various hydrophytic plants,

especially clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) (Figure 15). Wetlands were generally saturated

to the surface and soils exhibited redoximorphic features (depleted matrix) sufficient to be

characterized as hydric. No streams or other waters were observed in the investigation area. Field

data and photos can be found in Appendices B and C. Surface water hydrating wetlands appears to

generally flow from the northwest to southeast as well as collecting on-site. These wetlands appear

to be hydrologically isolated on-site (WET-B) or just outside the investigation area (WET-A). WET-A

is precluded from extending to the north by elevated grades (see Photo 2).

3.0 Conclusion There are no NYSDEC regulated wetlands or check zones nor NWI data suggesting wetlands on-

site. NRCS characterizes site soils as “Urban”.

Historically the site was part of Griffiss Air Force Base and inspection of historic aerial photographs

indicate it was mostly impervious during operational use. Wetland conditions on-site were likely

promoted via decommissioning which lowered grades and converted the surface from impervious to

pervious. The wetlands delineated on-site have formed recently, post-decommissioning.

Evidence of a surface water connection/significant nexus from the on-site wetlands to any tributary

connected to traditional navigable waters, or any other waters, was not found. This indicates that the

on-site wetlands should be federally classified as “Non-jurisdictional Wetlands” and we request an

Approved Jurisdictional Determination confirming a lack of federal jurisdiction from USACE.

4.0 References Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical

Report Y-87-1. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.

(http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/wetlands.pdfs/wlman87.pdf).

Google Earth 7.3.2. 2020. Ellsworth Road Historical Aerial Photographs. Lat: 43.212423 N, Lon

75.392705 W. Accessed Feb 21, 2020.

FEMA. 2013. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Oneida County NY, Panel 0559F.

NRCS. 2019. Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. Available online. Accessed 1/20/2020.

NYSDEC. 2010. Water Quality Classifications (WQC)-NYS (NYSDEC). Albany, NY. Published by

NYSDEC.

NYSDEC. 2002. Regulatory Freshwater Wetlands, New York State, 2002. Published by NYSDEC.

NYSDEC. 1995. Freshwater Wetlands Delineation Manual. Published by NYSDEC, Albany, NY,

July 1995.

USACE. 2011. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:

Northcentral and Northeast Region (Version 2.0), ed. J.S. Wakeley, R.W. Lichvar, C.V. Noble,

and J.F. Berkowitz. ERDC/EL TR-12-1. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and

Development Center.

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/wetlands.pdfs/wlman87.pdf

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USACE. 2007. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jurisdictional Determination Form and Instructional

Guidebook. Published 5/30/2007.

FIGURES

Figure 1: Site Location

Figure 2: 1997 Historic Aerial Photograph (Google Earth 2020)




Figure 6: Nearby wetlands as depicted using USFWS National Wetland Inventory Data (USFWS 2014)

Figure 7: Nearby wetlands and streams as depicted on NYSDEC Maps (NYSDEC 2010, NYSDEC 2002)

Figure 8: FEMA Flood Map (FEMA 2013)

Figure 9: NRCS Soil Survey (NRCS 2019)

Figure 10: Topographic Map

Figure 11: Wetland Delineation Overview and Photo-points

Figure 12: Wetland Delineation Flags and Data Points

Figure 13: Wetland Delineation Flags and Data Points (North)

Figure 14: Wetland Delineation Flags and Data Points (South)

Figure 15: Cowardin Wetland Types

APPENDIX A

Oneida County, New York

23—Urban land

Map Unit CompositionUrban land: 75 percentMinor components: 25 percentEstimates are based on observations, descriptions, and transects of

the mapunit.

Description of Urban Land

Properties and qualitiesSlope: 0 to 3 percentDepth to restrictive feature: 0 inches to manufactured layerRunoff class: Very highCapacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water (Ksat): Very

low to moderately high (0.00 to 0.20 in/hr)

Minor Components

UdorthentsPercent of map unit: 6 percentHydric soil rating: No

HoneoyePercent of map unit: 4 percentHydric soil rating: No

AltonPercent of map unit: 4 percentLandform: DepressionsHydric soil rating: No

LimaPercent of map unit: 3 percentHydric soil rating: No

WindsorPercent of map unit: 3 percentLandform: DepressionsHydric soil rating: No

CastilePercent of map unit: 3 percentHydric soil rating: No

CanandaiguaPercent of map unit: 2 percentLandform: Depressions

Map Unit Description: Urban land---Oneida County, New York pacel_EW

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Web Soil SurveyNational Cooperative Soil Survey

12/12/2019Page 1 of 2

Hydric soil rating: Yes

Data Source Information

Soil Survey Area: Oneida County, New YorkSurvey Area Data: Version 22, Sep 16, 2019

Map Unit Description: Urban land---Oneida County, New York pacel_EW

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Web Soil SurveyNational Cooperative Soil Survey

12/12/2019Page 2 of 2

APPENDIX B

APPENDIX C

Photographs

Photo ID: 1 Direction: E Photo ID: 2 Direction: NW

Photo ID: 3 Direction: NW Photo ID: 4 Direction: SE

Photo ID: 5 Direction: SW Photo ID: 6 Direction: NE

Photo ID: 7 Direction: N Photo ID: 8 Direction: N

Photo ID: 9 Direction: N Photo ID: 10 Direction: E

Photo ID: 11 Direction: NW Photo ID: 12 Direction: W

Photo ID: 13 Direction: S Photo ID: WET-A Direction: N

Photo ID: UPL-A Direction: S Photo ID: WET-B Direction: NW

Photo ID: UPL-B Direction: E

APPENDIX D

MICHAEL L. PARKES, M.S CHIEF ECOLOGIST/OWNER

EDUCATION

Texas A&M University, M.S. Ecology Virginia Tech, B.S. Wildlife Ecology

YEARS EXPERIENCE: 16

341 Tilbury Hill Rd., Endicott, NY 13760 ▪ 979-777-1745 ▪ [email protected]

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

I am a Certified Ecologist who serves as the Chief Ecologist/Owner of a consulting firm I founded in 2013. The firm’s scope of services mirrors my expertise and interests; wetland ecology, wildlife ecology, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

I have personally delineated over 100 wetlands in several states. These wetland types have included tidal salt marsh, vernal pools, freshwater tidal wetlands, alpine wet meadows, wetlands within Pine Barrens, and many others. I have also authored approved permits and mitigation plans for activities within wetlands in compliance with Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act, as well as State and Municipal wetland regulations.

SELECT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wetlands

Brownfield Remediation, Restoration and Redevelopment Project, Fords, NJ – Project manager for ecological components of a 180-acre brownfield cleanup for a large natural gas company. Personally performed the wetland delineation (>85 acres) and was the lead author for numerous approved permit applications including New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Letter of Interpretation, General Permits 4 and 12, Freshwater Wetland Individual Permit, Mitigation Plan, Waterfront Development Permit, Flood Hazard Permit and Tidelands License as well as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jurisdictional Determination, Nationwide Permit 38 and Mitigation Plan. Other tasks managed included ecological investigations, wetland mitigation design, mitigation construction oversight, ecological risk assessment and stakeholder coordination.

Wetland Delineation for Wind Farm Development, Ellenburg, NY. Completed wetland delineations in support of a large wind farm (~449 MW, ~135 turbines, ~25,000 acres leased) in Northern New York State.

Wetland Delineation, Atco, NJ – Wetland delineation in support of a remediation project in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

Water Flow Study and Aquatic Plant Survey, Alexandria Bay NY – Designed, implemented, and reported results of a water flow study and aquatic plant survey required for permits to apply herbicide to treat Eurasian water-milfoil in a bay in the St. Lawrence River for a local non-profit organization.

Wetland Delineation, Wildlife Surveys, and SEQRA Support. Lowville, NY. Completed wetland delineation and permitting, wildlife surveys, and SEQRA documentation in support of waste water treatment plant and sanitary sewer construction.

Major League Soccer Wetland Investigation and Permitting, Queens, NY. Lead ecologist for wetland delineation, water quality investigation, ecological analyses, and compensatory mitigation strategy

Michael Parkes, M.S. Chief Ecologist/Principal


development for a large corporate client. Work involved wetland permitting and restoration design, production of comprehensive analytical reports, consultation for regulatory strategy, and coordination with multiple private and public stakeholders.

Expert Witness, New York, NY – Represented a local non-profit in effort to prevent the inadequate replacement of wetlands associated with pier replacement. The group sought consultation on the proposed mitigation plan and permits and our comments were submitted as evidence.

Marine Terminal Mitigation Planning, Staten Island, NY – Project manager leading data collection and conceptual restoration design of a 40+ acre salt marsh mitigation for a private client. Project included gathering ecological information from the site, public data sources, and GIS portals then incorporating these with a design team into a comprehensive restoration plan.

Wetland Investigation and Permitting, Phillipstown, NY. Wetland delineation, USACE Jurisdictional Determination and permitting strategy development in support of a residential development along the Hudson River.

Tidal Wetland Mitigation Restoration Design and Permitting, New York, NY – Lead ecological designer for a New York City Parks Department ecological park along the East River in the Bronx, NY. Designed grading, planting, soils, specifications, and details for a 1.6 acre tidal restoration to satisfy a municipal wetland mitigation requirement submitted to New York Department of Environmental Conservation. In addition, the plants, soils, maintenance and monitoring for the upland habitats to be installed in the park were specified.

Wetland Delineation and Permitting, South Huntington, NY – Project manager for the delineation and development of mitigation plans for project activities associated with a cell phone tower taking place within the NYS DEC regulated areas. Completed wetland delineation and detailed assessment report submitted for an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jurisdictional Determination and a NYSDEC Freshwater Wetlands Permit. Provided onsite construction expertise and guidance to ensure permit compliance.

Wetland Mitigation Bank Site Evaluations, Mesa and Gunnison Counties, CO – These projects involved the assessment of hydrology, vegetation, and soils of several existing wetland banks to produce Geographic Information Systems (GIS) habitat maps and ensure compliance with banking instruments. Sites for potential wetland mitigation bank creation were similarly evaluated.

Salt Marsh Restoration, New York, NY – Oversaw a salt marsh restoration from an ecological perspective. This included ensuring proper grading in relation to tide levels, inspection of plants and planting, and adjustment of barrier placement for the reduction of tidal scour.

Water Treatment Plant Wetland System, Bronx, NY – Collaborated on design of a wetland system that treats and detains water while acting as an educational, ecological, and design amenity. The depth and roof area of the new Croton Water Treatment Plant cause significant excesses of storm and ground water on site. This water is directed to created emergent marsh, rocky glens, bioswales, and irrigation ponds on-site.

SG Interests Bull Mountain Pipeline Wetland Delineation, Rifle CO. Demarcated wetlands along a proposed 25 mile natural gas pipeline. Tasks included field mobilization/demobilization, GPS and GIS data management, and wetland flagging.

Landscape Level Wetland Delineation, Fort Drum, NY – Large scale (parcels of 500+ acres) delineation of wetlands on Fort Drum, NY. Duties included producing GIS maps and operating Geographic Positioning System (GPS) units, plant identification, soil core evaluation, quality assurance and control, assessment of mitigation banks, and restoration compliance evaluation.

Michael Parkes, M.S. Chief Ecologist/Principal


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Ecological Society of America Society of Wetland Scientists Society of Ecological Restoration Wildlife Society International Society of Waterbirds

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Ecologist – Ecological Society of America Graduate GIS Certificate – Texas A&M University OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER NYSDEC Erosion and Sediment Control Training USFWS Phase I Bog Turtle Surveyor Certification

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS Parkes, M.L., M.A. Mora, and R. Feagin. 2012. Using scale, cover type, and GIS to evaluate nuisance egret

colony site selection. Waterbirds 35: 56-63. Kelly, J.P., K. Etienne, C. Strong, M. McCaustland, and M.L. Parkes. 2007. Status, trends and implications

for the conservation of heron and egret nesting colonies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Waterbirds 30: 455- 478.

Parkes, M. L. 2005. Inter-nest infanticide in Ardeids. Waterbirds 28: 256-257.

OTHER SELECT PUBLICATIONS Parkes, M.L. USACE Jurisdictional Determination, Phillipstown, NY (NAN-2014-00997). Approved October 2014. Parkes, M.L. and E. DeCelles. NYSDEC Freshwater Wetland Permit for construction of a cell tower for

T-Mobile, Huntington, NY (File # 1-4726-02247/00001). Approved May 2011. Parkes, M.L., J. Epstein, and E. DeCelles 2011. USACE Nationwide Permit 38 for EPEC Polymers Site,

Fords, NJ (File # NAN-2010-00412-ESO). Approved September 2011. Parkes, M.L., J. Epstein, and E. DeCelles 2011. NJDEP Department of Land Use Regulation Multi-permit

for the Former Nuodex Corporation Site, Fords, NJ (File # 1225-02-0016.4). Freshwater Wetland Individual Permit, Flood Hazard Area Permit, Waterfront Development Permit, Wetland Mitigation Plan, and Tidelands License. Approved June 2011.

Parkes, M.L. NJDEP Department of Land Use Regulation Freshwater Wetland General Permits 12 and 14 and Letter of Interpretation for the Former Nuodex Corporation Site, Fords, NJ (File # 1225-02 0016.2). Approved March 2009.

SELECT PRESENTATIONS Parkes, M.L. March 2014. Wetland Functional Analysis and Its Use in Wetland Mitigation Design. Lecture given at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA. Parkes, M.L. February 2013. Integrated remediation and restoration: A case study in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Lecture given at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA. Parkes, M.L. and E. DeCelles. April 2012. Integrated remediation and restoration: A case study in

Woodbridge, New Jersey. An oral presentation to the Society of Ecological Restoration Mid-Atlantic/ New England Chapters Conference, Brooklyn, New York.

Documents

Wetland Delineation Report: Enterprise Way, City of Rome, NY · investigation area but did show wetlands nearby (Figures 6 and 7) (USFWS 2014, NYSDEC 2002). ... (Carex praegracilis)