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Environmental Impact Study
PASEO DEL VOLCAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Excerpts from Executive Summary
Prepared by Enchanted Hills Homeowners Association
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PROJECT STUDY TEAM
- City of ABQ
- City of Rio Rancho
- Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments (MRGCOG)
- Other local agencies
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
- Two-lane limited access roadway for its entire length ….traversing the west side of the ABQ metropolitan area and extending from I-40 west of ABQ to US 550 north of Rio Rancho.
- Intersections with major cross streets would be at-grade except at I-40 where an interchange would be constructed.
- The portion of this alignment through the Enchanted Hills subdivision (approximately 1 mile) would be depressed 8-10 feet below the surrounding terrain to reduce impacts to that community.
- Approximately 26 site-built houses and 4 mobile/prefabricated homes are within the proposed right-of-way for this alignment.
COMMITMENTS BY NMSHTD
- To depress the roadway facility near the Enchanted Hills Subdivision in Rio Rancho
- To construct noise walls at the Enchanted Hills and Northern Meadows subdivisions in Rio Rancho
- To program a separate study to evaluate the transportation needs of the US 550 corridor between Paseo del Volcan and I-25
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
- The C-3 alignment [3.1 miles south of US 550] would be within an existing easement through the Enchanted Hills subdivision.
- Measures to reduce disturbance [to soils, vegetation and wildlife habitat] during construction and restore vegetation after temporary disturbance will be undertaken.
- Based on the initial surveys for theatened or endangered species … the Paseo del Volcan project would have “no effect” on any species listed as threatened or endangered or on any areas designated as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.
PDV – EIS Excerpts
- Final design for the project will include a detailed drainage analysis to address drainage issues associated with the project, and will likely include provisions for a number of drainage ponds to collect storm water flows from the roadway. Planning and design of all drainage structures would require authorization from the Regulatory Branch of the US Army Corps of Engineers
- Since significant adverse air quality effects were not identiied at the three highest-volume intersections associated with the project, impacts would not be expected in other portions of the Paseo del Volcan project area.
- Ten foot tall noise walls are proposed for the Northern Meadows and Enchanted Hills subdivisions. The final location, height and aesthetic treatment of noise walls will be determined after additional analysis and public input has been obtained in the final design phase.
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