Chapter 8: Landscape Evaluation Chapter 8: Landscape Evaluation and Land Useand Land Use

Earth scientists as part of evaluation team provide info on: Earth scientists as part of evaluation team provide info on: site history (previous use) site history (previous use) physical and chemical properties of Earth materialsphysical and chemical properties of Earth materials

soil type, stability/engineering properties, and soil type, stability/engineering properties, and thickness to bedrockthickness to bedrock

suitability for waste disposalsuitability for waste disposal bedrock type, stability/engineering propertiesbedrock type, stability/engineering properties contaminationcontamination

hazard evaluationhazard evaluation water availability, quantity, qualitywater availability, quantity, quality

Environmental Geology MapsEnvironmental Geology MapsDistribution of geologic, hydrologic, etc. info.Distribution of geologic, hydrologic, etc. info. InterpretiveInterpretive Environmental Geology Maps Environmental Geology Maps

Suitability of areas for a specific land useSuitability of areas for a specific land use Ideally a series of maps, one for each possible land useIdeally a series of maps, one for each possible land use Color code for suitability (yes, maybe, no)Color code for suitability (yes, maybe, no)

soil mapssoil maps suitability for landfillsuitability for landfill stable foundationsstable foundations slope stabilityslope stability groundwater contaminationgroundwater contamination earthquakeearthquake v vulnerability, etculnerability, etc..

Environmental Environmental Geology MapsGeology Maps

Map showing the Map showing the vulnerability of aquifier vulnerability of aquifier contamination, New contamination, New MexicoMexico

Map showing the major Map showing the major sources of potential sources of potential groundwater contamination, groundwater contamination, New MexicoNew Mexico

Environmental Environmental Geology MapsGeology Maps

Environmental Geology MapsEnvironmental Geology MapsEnvironmental Resource Units (ERUs)Environmental Resource Units (ERUs)

Multidisciplinary approach: studies total Multidisciplinary approach: studies total natural environment (geo, hydro, bio)natural environment (geo, hydro, bio)

ERUERU = areas with similar physical and = areas with similar physical and biological characteristicsbiological characteristics

Used to establish patterns of land use and Used to establish patterns of land use and suitability in multidisciplinary approachsuitability in multidisciplinary approach

Environmental Geology MapsEnvironmental Geology MapsEnvironmental Resource Units (ERUs)Environmental Resource Units (ERUs)

10.4 km10.4 km22 study site in Morrison Colorado test site study site in Morrison Colorado test site

Mountain-forestMountain-forestFloodplain forestFloodplain forestPleistocene grasslandPleistocene grasslandHogback wood and Hogback wood and

grasslandgrassland

Environmental Resource Units (ERUs)Environmental Resource Units (ERUs)

scarp slopescarp slope HogbackHogback dip slopedip slope

Environmental Geology MapsEnvironmental Geology MapsGeographic Information Systems (GIS)Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Computer Computer compositecomposite maps capable of storing and maps capable of storing and

displaying geographic distribution of anythingdisplaying geographic distribution of anything The ability to combine and create maps of the The ability to combine and create maps of the

combinations is a powerful techniquecombinations is a powerful technique

Site SelectionSite Selection

Evaluation of places for various human Evaluation of places for various human activitiesactivities Can be quite multidisciplinaryCan be quite multidisciplinary

Assure that development is both possible and Assure that development is both possible and compatible with local environmentcompatible with local environment

Want to know all that you can Want to know all that you can beforebefore develop develop

Site SelectionSite SelectionFinally proceed to final site evaluation: specific criteria dep Finally proceed to final site evaluation: specific criteria dep

on intended use, but 2 common approaches:on intended use, but 2 common approaches:

1) Cost-Benefit Analysis 1) Cost-Benefit Analysis Assess long-range desirability of a projectAssess long-range desirability of a project Calculate estimates of total benefits in $ and compare Calculate estimates of total benefits in $ and compare

to coststo costs Best site has lowest C/BBest site has lowest C/B

Site SelectionSite Selection

2) Physiographic Determinism2) Physiographic Determinism Apply ecological principles in designApply ecological principles in design Maximize social benefit while minimizing social Maximize social benefit while minimizing social

costscosts Consider physical, social, & aesthetic data of site Consider physical, social, & aesthetic data of site

itself do determine proper use and designitself do determine proper use and design

Finally proceed to final site evaluation: specific criteria dep Finally proceed to final site evaluation: specific criteria dep on intended use, but 2 common approaches:on intended use, but 2 common approaches:

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

NEPANEPA (1969) required all major (1969) required all major federalfederal actions which actions which possibly affect the quality of the environment be possibly affect the quality of the environment be preceded by an evaluation of the project and its impactpreceded by an evaluation of the project and its impact

Council of Environmental Quality set forth guidelines Council of Environmental Quality set forth guidelines for EISs (revised in 1979) . The major components are:for EISs (revised in 1979) . The major components are: Summary StatementSummary Statement of purpose and need for the of purpose and need for the

projectproject Rigorous comparison of reasonable alternativesRigorous comparison of reasonable alternatives Succinct description of the area to be affectedSuccinct description of the area to be affected

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) Discussion of the environmental consequences of the Discussion of the environmental consequences of the

proposed project proposed project and alternatives and alternatives whichwhich must include:must include: Direct and indirect effectsDirect and indirect effects Energy requirements and conservationEnergy requirements and conservation Resource depletionResource depletion Impact on urban quality and cultural/historical Impact on urban quality and cultural/historical

resourcesresources Possible conflicts with state and local land-use plansPossible conflicts with state and local land-use plans Mitigation measuresMitigation measures

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

ScopingScoping Initial NEPA EIS process criticized for Initial NEPA EIS process criticized for mountains of mountains of

paperwork that could obscure critical issuespaperwork that could obscure critical issues 1979 revisions introduced concept of scoping: 1979 revisions introduced concept of scoping:

preliminary identification of major environmental preliminary identification of major environmental issues that require more detailed evaluation early in the issues that require more detailed evaluation early in the processprocess

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

MitigationMitigation Identify actions that will avoid, lessen, or compensate Identify actions that will avoid, lessen, or compensate

for anticipated adverse impactfor anticipated adverse impact If an action involves a wetland, may either avoid the If an action involves a wetland, may either avoid the

wetland area or compensate by enhancing or creating wetland area or compensate by enhancing or creating wetland elsewherewetland elsewhere

NEPA requires address of this in EIS, but doesn’t NEPA requires address of this in EIS, but doesn’t requirerequire implementation of any measures implementation of any measures However, DEIS is reviewed by many agencies and However, DEIS is reviewed by many agencies and

citizen’s groups that may require actioncitizen’s groups that may require action

Environmental AssessmentsEnvironmental Assessments in cases where full EIS in cases where full EIS deemed unnecessarydeemed unnecessary

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

StateState Environment Impact Legislation Environment Impact Legislation About half of the states have followed the federal lead, About half of the states have followed the federal lead,

either following NEPA for state and municipal projects either following NEPA for state and municipal projects or enacting their own SEPAsor enacting their own SEPAs

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Negative Declarations (D’s of non-significant impact)Negative Declarations (D’s of non-significant impact)

Filed when an agency determines no significant impactFiled when an agency determines no significant impact In lieu of full EIS: much less rigorous and need not In lieu of full EIS: much less rigorous and need not

consider alternativesconsider alternatives Many try this first, but may be required to do full Many try this first, but may be required to do full

EIS if not grounds for NDEIS if not grounds for ND

Mitigated Negative DeclarationsMitigated Negative Declarations Filed when decided that initial project would Filed when decided that initial project would

significant environment impact, but that it can be significant environment impact, but that it can be modified so as to reduce them to ~ insignificancemodified so as to reduce them to ~ insignificance

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) Big projects use teams of investigators with varied Big projects use teams of investigators with varied

expertiseexpertise Good case histories: Good case histories:

Cape Hattaras Cape Hattaras San Joaquin ValleySan Joaquin Valley

Land Use and PlanningLand Use and Planning Most land use in USA is Most land use in USA is agricultureagriculture or or forestforest Only about 3% or area is urbanOnly about 3% or area is urban Conversion of rural Conversion of rural non-ag is several thousand non-ag is several thousand

kmkm22/yr/yr ~ half ~ half wilderness, parks, recreation, wildlife wilderness, parks, recreation, wildlife ~ half ~ half urban, transportation, other facilities urban, transportation, other facilities

Scenic ResourcesScenic Resources

Land Use OptionsLand Use Options Multiple UseMultiple Use

Using the same land for > 1 purpose Using the same land for > 1 purpose ball field doubles as aquifer recharge basinball field doubles as aquifer recharge basin horse trails in floodplainhorse trails in floodplain wind generators in agricultural fieldswind generators in agricultural fields

Sequential UseSequential Use One use follows anotherOne use follows another

Reclaimed mine used for underground storage, Reclaimed mine used for underground storage, waste...waste...

Walla Walla landfill Walla Walla landfill ballparks ballparks Gravel pits Gravel pits parking lots parking lots

Land Use PlanningLand Use Planning Nation, State, or City may decide to enact land-use Nation, State, or City may decide to enact land-use

legislation for planninglegislation for planning

Comprehensive or General PlansComprehensive or General Plans Used as a policy guide for development decisions Used as a policy guide for development decisions

over a 10-20 yr periodover a 10-20 yr period Sets forth intended basic land usesSets forth intended basic land uses Indicates zoning and subdivision regulationIndicates zoning and subdivision regulation

Regulated in separate specific ordinancesRegulated in separate specific ordinances Control slopes, floodplain development, soils...Control slopes, floodplain development, soils...

ResidentialResidentialCommericalCommericalIndustrialIndustrialOpen spacesOpen spaces

Comprehensive or General PlansComprehensive or General Plans Land ManagementLand Management

Follow-up to planningFollow-up to planning Possible impacts that need to be monitoredPossible impacts that need to be monitored

Natural processes: floods, landslides, erosion...Natural processes: floods, landslides, erosion... Impact of human use on chemistry, biology, resources...Impact of human use on chemistry, biology, resources...

GoalsGoals Protection of lives and propertyProtection of lives and property Protection of water quality and supplyProtection of water quality and supply Protection of wildlifeProtection of wildlife Ecosystem protectionEcosystem protection Recreation and public accessRecreation and public access

Emergency Planning (regulation of response)Emergency Planning (regulation of response)

Environmental LawEnvironmental LawNEPANEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) 1969, 1977(National Environmental Policy Act) 1969, 1977

EPAEPA establishes and enforces air and water quality standards establishes and enforces air and water quality standards Federal Water Pollution ActFederal Water Pollution Act (1956) req. municipal sewage treatment (1956) req. municipal sewage treatment Clean Air ActClean Air Act (1963) and Air Quality Act (1965) amended in 1970 and (1963) and Air Quality Act (1965) amended in 1970 and

1990: addresses all sorts of air pollution (autos, CFCs, ozone...) 1990: addresses all sorts of air pollution (autos, CFCs, ozone...) Solid Waste Disposal ActSolid Waste Disposal Act (1965) aimed at municipal dumps (1965) aimed at municipal dumps Resource Conservation and Recovery ActResource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976) (1976) Toxic Substances and Control ActToxic Substances and Control Act (1976) req. tests and control (1976) req. tests and control Clean Water ActClean Water Act (1977) addresses wider range of pollution (1977) addresses wider range of pollution CERCLACERCLA (Comprehensive Env. Resource, Compensation, and Liability (Comprehensive Env. Resource, Compensation, and Liability

Act) (1980) Act) (1980) Superfund Superfund

NEPA also set up requirement of EIS or EA (and enforces)NEPA also set up requirement of EIS or EA (and enforces) CEQCEQ (Council on Env. Quality) promotes interest and (Council on Env. Quality) promotes interest and

research in environment and implementsresearch in environment and implements