Honolulu Rail Transit - Environment

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Environmental impact of HART

+Questions and concerns:

Land use

Displacements and relocations

Visual Aesthetics

Air quality

Noise and vibration

Water

Hazardous waste and materials

Archaeological, cultural and historic resources

+Land use: Approx. 160 acres of existing land use will be converted

to transportation use (this will include 88 acres of farmlands).

The land being converted is divided as follows: 42 % agricultural 35 % public 18 % commercial 5 % residential

“No unavoidable adverse environmental effects are anticipated. “

~ (Table 4-1 Summary of Direct Environmental Effects and Mitigation Measures to Avoid, Minimize, or reduce impacts)

http://honolulutransit.org/media/7521/04_part1.pdf

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The proposed rail project will span from Ala Moana Center to Kapolei, a total distance of 20 miles.

+Displacements and relocations:

Fully acquired property – 40 properties

Partially acquired property – 159 properties

According to the EIS all residents and business owners will be compensated for displacement. ( in alignment with Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Polices Act. ) Displacements will consist of:

20 residences 67 businesses 1 church

(Section 4.4)

+Visual Aesthetics : Residential and roadway views

will be affected by the rail. This will include views for

motorists and home owners alike. (The project will block views in

several areas including Mauka and Makai views i.e. ocean and mountain views.)

According to the EIS view blockage will vary depending on where you are located along the rail. “The Final EIS Acknowledges…

that unavoidable adverse effects, such as view blockage, cannot be mitigated and will be significant in some areas.”

Landscaping improvements will affect street- level views.

(Section 4.8)

+Air Quality: The project is said to reduce regional pollutant

emissions between 3.9 and 4.6 %. The study area meets national air-quality standards.

The EIS claims that the project will reduce emissions of green house gasses and that because no significant air quality impacts are anticipated that mitigation will not be necessary.

(Section 4.9)

+Noise and Vibration: The project will have moderate noise impacts in 8

locations – no vibration impacts are expected.

Wheel skirts will be installed to reduce noise.

The guideway structure will be lined with a special material designed to absorb noise from the rail.

Automatic track lubrication devices will be installed for tight-radius curves in the guideway. Designed to reduce wheel squeal on those turns.

(Section 4.10)

+Water: 5 streams will be affected by the construction of guideway

support columns below the ordinary high water mark.

Waiawa Stream will receive enhancements such as the establishment of a water quality basin, ecological restoration, an extension of the existing culvert and enhancement of floodway capacity.

There will be some effects to wetlands due to shading from the guideway.

There will be an increase in stormwater runoff because of rainwater collecting on impervious surfaces where water was previously able to absorb into the ground.

No adverse effects to marine waters, groundwater or floodplains is expected.

+Hazardous waste and materials:

Sites near the project could be contaminated. Contaminates include: Lubricants, hydraulic fluid, cleaning

products (ranging from acids to alkaline to petroleum-based products)

Properties that are identified as contaminated will be corrected in accordance with regulations.

The project plans to lower its impact where possible. They plan to: Use non-hazardous materials where possible Limit exposure of hazardous materials Practice waste minimization Recycle waste to the greatest possible extent

(Section 4.12)

+Archaeological, cultural and historic resources

There will be adverse effects to 33 historic properties. 4 cultural resources will also be affected. Mitigation will be provided where possible.

The project will require the demolition of 3 historic buildings

(Section 4.16)

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Map of some of the affected cultural sitesMap Source: EIS Section 4.16