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Public Meeting Draft Environmental Assessment Proposed Multi-Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic

Public Meeting Draft Environmental Assessment Proposed Multi-Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic . Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center Walla Walla, Washington March 29, 2011. Opening Statements Mr. Brian Westfield, Director. Agenda. House Keeping Purpose and Need

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Public Meeting Draft Environmental Assessment Proposed Multi-Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic

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  1. Public Meeting Draft Environmental AssessmentProposed Multi-Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center Walla Walla, Washington March 29, 2011

  2. Opening StatementsMr. Brian Westfield, Director

  3. Agenda • House Keeping • Purpose and Need • Environmental Consequences Assessment • Public Involvement • Management Measures • Conclusions • Questions / Comments

  4. House KeepingMr. Brian WestfieldDirector

  5. House Keeping • Court Reporter Recording Oral Discussions • During the question and answer session, please state your name and then ask a question directly into the microphone • Restroom Locations • Public Meeting Proposed from 7PM to 9PM • A question and answer session will follow the EA presentation.

  6. Outpatient ClinicPurpose and NeedS. Lorraine Norwood, MA, RPA

  7. Need for Projects (Undertakings) • Proposed Undertakings • VISN 20 Inland North Sub Market serves 65,000 veterans • Consolidates VA activities into 24 acres of western portion of campus • Allows remaining 64 acres to be candidate for Enhanced Use Lease or other functions

  8. Need for Projects (Undertakings) • New Outpatient Clinic Building • Consolidates clinical, administrative and support functions into one facility that are currently spread across 88 acres • Residential Recovery Unit • Existing Building (Building 69) is a 104 years old and not adequately designed to provide for mental health services. Separate EA in progress. • Specialty Care Unit • Consolidates audiology, optometry, and dental services into one facility adjacent to other care facilities and parking. Separate EA in progress.

  9. Project Location • In 1857, (1) square mile of land was set aside for the Fort Walla Walla military reservation • In 1921, the U.S. Veterans Bureau took over 88 acres of this property • On July 21, 1930 the Veterans Medical Center (VAMC) became part of the newly established Veterans Administration • The VAMC currently consists of 51 buildings and structures that total approx. 336,000 SF and employ more than 300 staff members

  10. Proposed Buildings OPC

  11. Proposed OPC • The proposed OPC would be located on the west portion of the campus • Construction will consist of a two story approximately 67,000 SF building to serve as the VA Outpatient Clinic.

  12. Proposed Building Footprint

  13. Proposed Building: Front Elevation All Brick

  14. Proposed Building: View from Southwest – All Brick

  15. Proposed Building: View from Southwest - Brick Columns

  16. Services Provided • OPC functional design reflects an extensive planning effort by VA staff and the A/E Design Team to provide a state-of-the-art healthcare facility tailored to the needs of veterans of the Walla Walla community including: • Large modular clinic adaptable for accommodating both current and future healthcare delivery activities. •  Purpose-designed women’s exam and treatment area. •  Specialized Ambulatory Surgery Unit with private intake and recovery stations. •  Specialized Sleep Lab facility to permit convenient on-site sleep studies.

  17. Services Provided (Continued) • Modern clinical laboratory with convenient waiting, multiple blood draw stations and large open-plan area to accommodate the latest high-tech equipment. • Pharmacy with convenient line-of-sight dedicated waiting. • Amenities including “café-style” extension of the Canteen. • Mental health clinic encompassing various treatment disciplines and support services in a single area. • Consolidated Physical Therapy area allowing exercise and training equipment to be located together in a single large gym.

  18. Site Selection Considerations • Identification and evaluation of potential sites for the new OPC facility targeted the following key considerations: • Compatibility with the overall Wainwright campus renewal and redevelopment plan. • Coordination with on-going utility and infrastructure upgrades and improvements.

  19. Environmental Consequences Assessment . Lorraine Norwood, MA, RPA

  20. Information Gathered for NEPA Air Quality, Odor and Dust Archeological, Cultural and Historic Erosion and Sedimentation Noise Biological and Botanical Resources Environmentally Sensitive Area NEPA Surface and Groundwater Resources Traffic Disruption Threatened and Endangered Species Visual Resources Cumulative Impacts Commitment of Irreversible and Irretrievable Resources Land Use Socioeconomic Conditions Compliance with Regulatory Requirements

  21. Cultural Resources

  22. Cultural Resources • Approximately 180 archaeological shovel test probes were completed to assess historic and archeological resources. • Historic Fort Era and VA artifacts were discovered in the western portion of the campus. • The nature of the deposits indicate that most artifacts are within a disturbed context resulting from past demolition and construction. • A stone flake was encountered in three separate shovel test probes.

  23. Historical Resources • A total of 15 buildings are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places • An assessment of the eligibility for listing of 43 buildings that are over 50 years old is currently underway

  24. Memorandum of Agreement • Construction of the OPC, Residential Recovery Unit, Specialty Care Unit, and associated infrastructure project may have an adverse effect on archaeological sites and historic resources that are listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. • A Memorandum of Agreement was signed to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. • Signatories include the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. • Stipulations include: • Notify parties and evaluate new APE if the Area of Potential Effect (APE) changes or is altered • Prepare inventory reports to DAHP guidelines

  25. Memorandum of Agreement, continued • Evaluate historic significance and determine NRHP eligibility • Prepare Supplemental Treatment Plan in consultation with DAHP, affected tribes and other Consulting Parties if NRHP-eligible archaeological resources will be adversely affected • Avoid and protect two existing archaeological sites • Develop a Site Treatment and Management Plan addressing future care of the two sites • Phase II/III evaluations will be completed at two locations and possible data recovery will take place. • Implement the Monitoring Plan and Discovery Protocol to ensure monitoring for all ground-disturbing activities associated with construction. • Curate and analyze artifacts in the Hussey Collection. Curation Plan will be based on the Vet Curation Program of the USACE.

  26. Memorandum of Agreement, continued • Prepare Design Guidelines for new building construction • Afford construction Design Review on the RRU, OPC, and SCU Buildings • Prepare a Cultural Landscape Report • Archive and curate VA historic maps • Prepare a revised National Register Nomination Form to update the 1974 form • Prepare a Historic Preservation Plan to include long-range vision, goals and policies, management, and long-term preservation plans.

  27. Biological Resources • Wetland were not identified within the proposed undertakings • Federal and State listed threatened or endangered species were not identified within the proposed undertakings • Suitable habitat for endangered species was not identified within the proposed undertakings

  28. Aesthetics • A significant impact is not anticipated • Removal of mature trees will occur during construction. • Trees and shrubs will be planted in accordance with landscape plan. • Visual impacts are addressed by the MOA and stipulations will be taken to mitigate the impacts.

  29. Land Use • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Existing land use conditions include the hospital, adjoining park, nearby non-profits, nearby cemetery and residential area. • These adjoining areas will not be affected.

  30. Air Quality • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Some impact during construction due to dust. • Project specifications required dust abatement provisions. • Abatement permit for asbestos containing material will be obtained and ACM will be abated before disturbance.

  31. Geology and Soils • A significant effect is not anticipated. • The OPC building is located within a seismically active portion of the US. • OPC building will be designed to reduce impacts from earthquakes as required in the International Building Code Seismic Standard. • Procedures will be put in place to reduce transport of sediment during inclement weather through Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

  32. Hydrology and Water Quality • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Contaminants including oil and grease may be discharged to groundwater. • Maintaining adequate stormwater and runoff controls in accordance with construction requirements will reduce discharges of contamination to groundwater.

  33. Noise • A significant effect is not anticipated. • There will be a temporary increase in noise levels during construction. • The contractor will be required to implement Best Management Practices to reduce noise levels during construction.

  34. Floodplains, Wetlands and Coastal Zone Management • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Stormwater during construction will be managed in accordance with Best Management Practices to reduce stormwater impacts. • Sediment control will reduce the potential for sediment discharge to nearby wetlands.

  35. Socioeconomics • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Short-term positive impact on employment during construction. • OPC will retain employment of personnel within the greater Walla Walla community and these personnel will contribute to the economy and community development.

  36. Community Service • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Additional impacts to community services during construction are not anticipated due to onsite water wells providing potable water, VA police providing security, and use of portable toilets.

  37. Solid and Hazardous Materials • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Asbestos and lead based paint may be encountered during renovation activities. • Contractor will be required to remove ACM prior to disturbing. • Best Management Practices will be put into place regarding accidental spills.

  38. Transportation and Parking • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Construction will result in the loss of 170 standard and 9 ADA parking spaces in two parking lots. • Staff parking (70 spaces) will be relocated to an existing gravel lot to the east of the campus. • Patient parking will be located within existing Lot 1 with capacity of 125 spaces to meet patient demand. • Handicapped equipped bus or van will be used for patient pickup and drop off. • A shelter will be constructed on Lot 1 and pick-up/drop-off of passengers will likely be at the rear or front of ADA compliant entrances to Buildings 74 and 86.

  39. Utilities • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Utility improvements include installation of a fire suppression water line, natural gas pipeline, and electrical and fiber optic line for the campus. • OPC building will be connected to existing campus utilities including potable water pipelines and sanitary sewer.

  40. Environmental Justice • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Construction of the OPC is not anticipated to change minority or disenfranchised population affected environments including air, water, land use or natural resources.

  41. Cumulative Impacts • A significant effect is not anticipated. • Impacts to cultural and historical resources are addressed by the MOA. • The MOA stipulates actions the VA will take to mitigate the impacts to a level of non-significance.

  42. Potential for Generating Substantial Controversy • Noted in previous meetings: impacts from construction or disturbance to the Parade Ground, removal of existing mature trees within the campus and modern appearance of the proposed OPC building • The Parade Ground has been eliminated as proposed parking area. • There is consultation and public outreach to discuss the proposed aesthetics of new buildings within the context of the historic campus. • Trees will be replaced in accordance with the proposed landscaping plans. • No significant effect.

  43. Public Involvement • Previous public meetings held in June 2010 and August 2010. • Notice of Availability issued to public in March. In the local newspaper, Walla Wall VAMC website, and VAMC complex canteen. Public has 30 days to comment on the draft EA.

  44. Conclusions • Environmental Assessment concludes that there would be no significant adverse impact to the human environment provided management measures consisting of Best Management Practices and regulatory compliance measures are implemented. • EA concludes that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate and an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

  45. Questions or CommentsPublic

  46. Closing StatementsMr. Brian WestfieldDirector

  47. Closing Statements • Public Comment Period • Ground Breaking Ceremony

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