AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENTS

The performance of Air Quality studies; from the air quality chapters of Environmental Impact Statements to Toxic Screening Analyses, Health Risk Assessments and long term monitoring studies are among the major services performed by Environalysis. We use the most recent versions of the EPA approved dispersion models and data gathering instrumentation. Specific services include:

• Preparation of air quality chapters for NEPA/SEPA Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments

• Preparation of Health Risk Assessments

• Dispersion modeling for point and mobile sources - ranging from screening modeling to complex terrain modeling

• Ambient air monitoring and indoor air quality sampling
  
  
• Coordination with local authorities for Notice of Construction and Permit             Applications
  
  
• Determination of Conformity for transportation projects
  
                                    Representative Air Quality Projects
  
  
  David Evans & Associates Corps of Engineers - Lake Koocanusa Fugitive Dust Study
  Libby, Montana Contact:
  Lawr Salo (206) 764-3630
  
   A long-term (2 year) monitoring/modeling study to determine the impacts of fugitive dust from dry lakebed areas of Lake Koocanusa. State-of-the-art TEOM PM10 monitors were operated at 2 locations with co-located meteorological stations. After 2 years of monitoring the data was input into a dispersion model to determine the lakebed's contribution to local PM10 concentrations. The results were presented at annual community meetings.
  
  Puget Sound Regional Council Air Quality Impacts of Transportation Projects Soliciting CMAQ Funding
  Seattle, Washington  Contact:
  Nick Roach (206) 464-6843
  
  This project quantified the air quality impacts by developing emission inventories for 21 transportation projects applying for Congestion Management Air Quality funds from the federal government. Projects in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties were examined including the City of Seattle's paving of roads in the Duwamish nonattainment area.
  
  The Spokane Regional Council, Puget Sound Regional Council, WSDOT-Eastern Region CAL3QHC Training Workshops (4)
  Spokane and Seattle, Washington 
  Contact: Glen Miles (509) 625-6370, Nick Roach (206) 464-6843, and Bill Bennett (509) 324-6192
  
   Four three-day workshops (2 in Seattle, 2 in Spokane) in the use of the EPA air quality model (Cal3qhc3) whose application is needed to secure state and federal funding for transportation projects. Over 75 transportation engineers and air quality modelers attended these sessions. Follow-up problem-solving assistance included phone consultations and the ongoing publication of a newsletter, "The CAL3QHC Modeler".
  
  City of Redmond172nd Avenue NE Corridor Study- Air Quality and Noise Chapters Redmond, Washington
  Client: David Evans & Assoc.-Kirk Harris (425) 519-6500
  
   A study of the air quality and noise impacts of increasing the vehicle capacity of a 1-mile stretch of a residential arterial: NE 172nd Avenue NE. The corridor design was intended to improve traffic flow for local residents without making the avenue a through-route for regional traffic. The challenge was to provide noise mitigation in a rapidly developing area where noise walls would be unsuitable and was addressed by recommending a low speed limit and restricting pass-through travel by truck.
  
  SR169 Maple Valley Highway Air Quality Conformity Study
  Client: Perteet Engineering (425) 252-7200
   WSDOT contact Randy Sandberg (206) 440-4528 
  
  An Air Quality Conformity Study for improvements on the Maple Valley Highway (SR169). The study analyzed the air quality impacts of increasing the capacity of SR169. Six intersections were examined of which two, one near the I-405 interchange and the other at 140th Way SE, were selected for modeling with EPA’s intersection model: CAL3QHC. The modeling demonstrated that the project was in compliance with the Clean Air Act Conformity requirements.    
  
  Downtown Pedestrian/BTC Access Improvements Project
   Bremerton, WA
  
  Client: Exeltech, Inc. Bernie Chapman (360) 357-8289   An Air Quality Conformity study for a package of improvements to the flow of ferry traffic in downtown Bremerton. The project’s environmental documentation included two designs: a surface street design alternative and a tunnel alternative. The air quality analysis examined the changes in automobile pollutants of both designs and focused upon the intersections altered by the project and the potential air quality inside the tunnel during periods of congested traffic. 
  
  NE 15th + 150th Air Quality Conformity Study
  Client: KPG Inc. Nelson Davis (206) 286-1640
  WSDOT contact John Maas (206) 440-4545
  
   An air quality conformity study for improvements to the 15th Avenue NE corridor. The study examined the air quality impacts of adding a signal to the 15th Ave. NE + NE 150th St. intersection. The project was found to conform to the Clean Air Act Conformity requirements.
  
  
  
                                  Representative Noise Study Projects
  
  I-5 Mellen to Grand Mound Improvements
  Client: David Evans & Associates- Riley Atkins (425) 519-6500
  WSDOT contact Jim Laughlin (206) 440-4643
  
     Noise discipline reports for a multi-phase series of improvements to I-5 between Grand Mound and the Mellen Street interchange in Centralia. Phase I (Grand Mound to Harrison St.) has been completed. Phase 2 starts Spring 2008. Noise measurements were taken at sensitive residential receivers within 500 feet of I-5. The project would create noise impacts at several homes by design year of 2030, thus walls were modeled but found to acoustically feasible but financially unreasonable.  
  
  SR17 Improvements
  Client: David Evans & Associates- Kathryn Beck (425) 519-6500
  WSDOT contact Jim Laughlin (206) 440-4643 
  
   A noise discipline report for a project adding lanes to 15 miles of SR17 between Moses Lake and Ephrata. Noise measurements were taken at sensitive residential receivers within 500 feet of SR17. The project would create noise impacts at numerous homes by design year of 2030, thus walls were modeled and found to acoustically feasible in three locations.
  
  Washington State Department of Transportation Retrofit Wall Update Project Throughout Washington State
  Client: WSDOT
  WSDOT Contact: Mia Waters (206) 440-4541
  
  This project entailed the updating of a statewide list of potential noise wall sites along all of the State highways in Washington. Existing noise levels were measured with a Type I Sound Level Meter. Peak hour noise levels were modeled using FHWA’s Traffic Noise Model. Over 75 project sites were examined and ranked in order of potential benefits to noise-impacted residential areas.
  
  Seattle Public Utilities Solid Waste Utility Supplemental EIS Air Quality and Noise Chapters
  Seattle, Washington
  Client: Herrera Environmental Consultants-Art Campbell (206) 441-9080  
  
  A study of the air quality and noise impacts of system-wide changes to the City of Seattle solid waste trucking system. Air quality impacts are from changes in garbage truck vehicle-miles and dust control and filter systems for an intermodal solid waste transfer facility. Noise impacts are from changes in automobile traffic and truck traffic and the waste handling machinery used on site.  
     
  Third-part Review of Noise Study for the expansion of the Port Orchard Wal-Mart Store Port Orchard, WA
  Client: Kitsap County Dept. of Community Development-Mr. Jeff Smith (360) 337-7022  
  
  A review a noise study for a large expansion of an existing Wal-Mart store. The expansion would add several rooftop HVAC units, ground level refrigeration compressors-condensers and relocated truck traffic close to a residential neighborhood. We recommended modifying the mitigation measures cited in the study supplementing the study’s noise monitoring. We also designed a long-term noise monitoring plan for the project that will involve the use of advanced sound level meters.
  
  Third-part Review of Telecommunications Permits for the City of Eugene
  Eugene, Oregon
  Client: City of Eugene Department of Planning and Development-Ms. Catherine Zunno (541) 682-5389 
  
   Environalysis was asked to review all permits for new or modified telecommunication projects in the City of Eugene for accuracy and completeness in meeting the City’s requirements for non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and noise.  We review the technical NIER and noise reports submitted during the permitting process and make recommendations when necessary.  
  
  
  Fred Hill Materials (1)   Noise Report for the Shine pit (2)   Noise Report for the Wahl Addition (3)   the Pit-to-Pier Project
  Shine, Washington
   Client: Thorndyke Resources- Dan Baskins (360) 340-1134 
  
   Three studies of the noise impacts of a large sand and gravel operation. The first was an extensive study of the noise impacts of an existing 1 million TPY sand and gravel operation, the second study was an analysis of the effects of the excavation activities moving to a new nearby area. The third determined the noise impacts of building a ship-loading facility on Hood Canal. In the first two studies simultaneous 24-hour measurements were taken at 6 locations and the results were compared to the King County Noise Code. To determine future noise levels when the mine’s working face is moved the 1/3 octave band noise signatures of the mining machinery were measured and input in the Environmental Noise Model. The third study (Pit-to-Pier Project) used the CADNA A noise model. All the studies indicated that the existing operations did not exceed State or County noise standards during periods of normal meteorology. In the second study, the Proposal to relocate the working face was found to generate less noise than the current operations.
  
  Kenmore Air Noise study for Elliot Bay seaplane landing site
  Seattle, Washington
  Client: Kenmore Air-Tim Brooks (425) 486-1257 
  
   A noise monitoring project using 6 Type I Sound Level Meters to quantify noise impacts on downtown residential condominiums due to the landing and takeoff of Beaver and Otter seaplanes from Elliot Bay. Effective mitigation was proposed involving maintaining an adequate distance from the shoreline. Noise contour maps were developed using the Integrated Noise Model version 5.1.