Fill - Free fillable Griggs-Lang Consulting Geologists, Inc. (City of Renssealaer, NY) PDF form

Griggs-Lang Consulting Geologists, Inc.

8 Brunswick Road Troy, New York 12180

Phone: (518) 270-5920 Fax: (518) 270-5922

NEW CASTLE ASPHALT, LLC

Rensselaer (Riverside Avenue) Plant

Port of Rensselaer, City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County, New York

APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND

OPERATION OF BLACKTOP PLANT

Prepared by: Griggs-Lang Consulting Geologists, Inc.

Date: May 31, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................1

1.2 Location .................................................................................................................................1

1.3 Ownership..............................................................................................................................1

2.0 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................. 1

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ....................................................................................................... 3

3.1 Topography............................................................................................................................3

3.2 Vegetation..............................................................................................................................3

3.3 Railroad Spur .........................................................................................................................3

3.4 Utilities...................................................................................................................................3

3.5 Access ....................................................................................................................................3

3.6 Floodplain ..............................................................................................................................3

3.7 Future Bike Path ....................................................................................................................4

4.0 DESCRIPTON OF PROPOSED OPERATIONS ..................................................................... 4

4.1 Proposed Access and Traffic Flow ........................................................................................4

4.2 Access Control.......................................................................................................................4

4.3 Truck Routes..........................................................................................................................5

4.4 Blacktop Plant Components and Layout................................................................................5

4.5 Stockpile Area........................................................................................................................6

4.6 Stormwater Management Area ..............................................................................................7

4.7 Parking...................................................................................................................................7

4.8 Lighting..................................................................................................................................7

4.9 Truck Loading Areas .............................................................................................................7

4.10 Equipment Operation...........................................................................................................7

4.11 Water Supply .......................................................................................................................7

4.12 Natural Gas ..........................................................................................................................8

4.13 Electricity.............................................................................................................................8

4.14 Sewage.................................................................................................................................8

4.15 Buffer Zones and Green Space ............................................................................................8

4.16 Landscaping .........................................................................................................................8

4.17 Signs.....................................................................................................................................8

4.18 Pedestrian Access.................................................................................................................8

5.0 APPROVALS............................................................................................................................ 8

6.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION....................................................................... 9

6.1 Potential Air Impacts ...........................................................................................................10

6.2 Traffic ..................................................................................................................................11

6.3 Visual...................................................................................................................................11

6.4 Proposed Bike Path..............................................................................................................11

6.5 Noise ....................................................................................................................................11

6.5.1 Expected Sound Level at Riverside Avenue................................................................ 13

6.5.2 Expected Sound Level at Port Expressway ................................................................. 13

6.5.3 Expected Sound Level at Residential Area.................................................................. 13

6.5.4 Expected Sound Level at Overlook Area..................................................................... 13

6.5.5 Recommended Noise Best Management Practices...................................................... 13

6.5.6 Noise Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 14

6.6 Floodplain ............................................................................................................................14

6.7 Stormwater...........................................................................................................................14

6.8 Groundwater ........................................................................................................................15

6.9 Plants and Wildlife...............................................................................................................15

6.10 Cultural Resources.............................................................................................................17

6.11 Energy Use.........................................................................................................................17

6.12 Odor and Light...................................................................................................................18

6.13 Human Health ....................................................................................................................18

6.14 Community Character........................................................................................................18

Appendix

Environmental Assessment Form, Part 1

Visual Impact Assessment dated May 2011

May 9, 2011 Letter to Sarah Crowell

Request for Site Plan Review and Special Use Permit Approval

February 15, 2011 Letter to Building and Zoning Administrator

Floodplain Development Permit Application

Creighton Manning Traffic Studies dated March 2, 2011 and May 17, 2011

Cultural Resources Investigation

NYSDEC Air Registration Application

Stockpile Maintenance Plan dated February 15, 2011

Fugitive Dust Control Plan dated May 31, 2011

(Bound Drawings)—full size and 11” x 17”

Site Plan Map (Existing Conditions) dated May 31, 2011

Site Plan Map (Proposed Conditions) dated May 31, 2011

Details dated January 14, 2011 (Two Sheets)

NOTE: ALL OVERSIZED DRAWINGS IN SEPARATE FILE

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

This report describes the proposed construction and operation of New Castle Asphalt, LLC’s

(“New Castle”) blacktop plant on the west side of Riverside Avenue in the Port of Rensselaer.

The report and accompanying Site Plan is provided as part of the application for Site Plan Review

and a Special Use Permit from the City of Rensselaer.

1.2 Location

The site is located on the west side of Riverside Avenue and to the north of the Irwin Stewart Port

Expressway (“Port Expressway”), as shown on the Location Map on the next page. The site is

accessed from U.S. Route 20 via the Port Expressway.

The site is located in the City of Rensselaer Industrial Zoning District and is in the active Port of

Albany-Rensselaer. The site is surrounded by existing heavy industrial activities including but not

limited to:

 The Besicorp-Empire Power Generation Plant (to the northeast and east);

 The Fulton Cogeneration Associates Power Cogeneration Plant (to the north)

 A large-scale scrap-metal crusher and export operation (to the northwest); and

 Several active petroleum bulk storage and distribution facilities (to the south), the

closest being the Getty Terminal Facility (see map on page 2) and Polsinello Fuels.

In addition, the land west of the site (across and on the west side of the Hudson River) is occupied

by a variety of heavy industrial activities in the Port of Albany-Rensselaer.

The site is well suited for the proposed project. The proposed 400 ton per hour blacktop plant

will assimilate well into the surrounding heavy industrial activities and will not cause any

significant contrast to the industrial character of the zoning district. All potentially sensitive

receptors are separated from this site by intervening heavy industrial activity. The distances

between the nearest potential receptors are:

 Ft. Crailo—approximately 3700 feet north of site

 Ball Field—approximately 3300 feet north of site

 Educational facility—SUNY facility on US Route 20—approximately 2600 feet

 Nearest residential area to the north—approximately 3300 feet

 Nearest residence in primarily commercial area east of site—approximately 1400 feet

 Nearest residential area—approximately 1800 feet east of site.

1.3 Ownership

The site is owned by the Albany-Rensselaer Port District Commission and is leased to the

applicant, New Castle Asphalt, LLC. It is located on Tax Parcel 154-5-3.

2.0 PURPOSE

The proposed plant will provide blacktop for use in the construction and maintenance of roads,

driveways, parking lots and sidewalks. Currently, the nearest blacktop plants are located in South

Troy (Callanan), West Sand Lake (Troy Sand & Gravel), the Port of Albany (Albany Asphalt)

and Watervliet (Callanan). Blacktop for construction must be hauled from these more distant

locations at greater expense to individuals, private developers and governmental agencies. In

addition, hauling from more distant locations puts increased strain on the local highway

infrastructure.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS

3.1 Topography

The attached Site Plan Map (Existing Conditions) shows the existing conditions of the site. In

general, the site grades gently from an approximate high elevation of 26 feet above mean sea

level at the top of the bank along the Hudson River down to an elevation of approximately 18 feet

along an active railroad spur on the east side of the property. The easternmost part of the side

grades up slightly (elevation 19 feet) towards Riverside Avenue.

The property narrows in its southwest portion near the 90 degree turn in Riverside Avenue to the

southwest of the site. This part of the property grades to the steep bank of the Hudson River.

3.2 Vegetation

The site was formerly used as a lay down and parking area for the construction of the adjacent

plant. Most of the proposed site (approximately 4.6 acres) is covered by a layer of crushed stone.

A secondary growth of mixed trees and brush covers the western and northern perimeters of the

property. The remainder of the site is covered by open grasslands.

3.3 Railroad Spur

A single line railroad spur exists along the northeast and eastern parts of the property. This spur

is not proposed to be used by the applicant but is used by the adjacent metal salvage operation.

3.4 Utilities

Eight and 12 inch diameter water lines exist along Riverside Avenue on the east side of the site.

The water lines along the Port Expressway on the south side of the site are six inches and 12

inches in diameter. These lines and related water features are shown on the Site Plan Map

(Existing Conditions).

The stormwater pipes and related features run along Riverside Avenue, as shown on the Site Plan

Map (Existing Conditions). The lines are 12 inches in diameter. A 36 inch diameter storm pipe

water collector runs across the southwest part of the site through the NYSDOT stormwater

easement.

The site is lit by a handful of pole-mounted lights in the center of the property, left over from the

site’s prior use. The poles are approximately 25 feet high and are guarded by concrete blocks.

Overhead electrical and phone lines run along the west and south sides of Riverside Avenue, as

shown on the Site Plan Map (Existing Conditions). A power transmission line from the adjacent

cogeneration plant runs north-south and then east-west across the northeast part of the site.

A gas delivery line and commercial gas service point exists along the east side of Riverside

Drive.

3.5 Access

Two unpaved access points along the south side of the site provide access to Riverside Avenue at

the locations shown on the Site Plan Map (Existing Conditions).

3.6 Floodplain

The FEMA floodplain maps indicate the elevation of the 100-year floodplain ranges from about

19 feet to the south of the site to about 20 feet to the north of the site. The majority of the site is

above these elevations; only a portion of the railroad spur and the eastern side of the site are

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

below the 19 to 20 foot elevation. Riverside Avenue and a part of the Port Expressway southeast

of the site is below this elevation.

3.7 Future Bike Path

A bike path has been proposed by Empire-Besicorp to be built along Riverside Avenue, east and

south of the site. The bike path through the industrial area will terminate at an overlook area to

the southwest of the site, overlooking the Hudson River and the industrial Port of Albany-

Rensselaer.

4.0 DESCRIPTON OF PROPOSED OPERATIONS

The general operations of the proposed blacktop plant are described below.

4.1 Proposed Access and Traffic Flow

All vehicles will access the site via the proposed entrance from Riverside Avenue in the southeast

part of the site. This proposed entrance is at the location of one the existing access points. All

vehicles will travel north on the entrance road along the east side of the site. Trucks delivering

recycled asphalt pavement (“RAP”) and aggregates will turn left into the Stockpile Area, deposit

their materials at the appropriate stockpile, travel west across the Stockpile Area to the perimeter

access road, turn left (south) and depart the site.

Employees, liquid asphalt and delivery trucks and trucks picking up blacktop will proceed north

along the entrance road along the east side of the site to the Plant Area. Employees will park in

the two parking areas near the plant or the lab and depart via the perimeter access road along the

west side of the site.

Liquid asphalt and delivery trucks will use the road that bypasses the blacktop plant, take a left

turn just north of the plant, deliver their materials to the bulk storage from the concrete pad,

proceed southwest to the perimeter access road, turn left (south) and depart the site via Riverside

Avenue to the Port Expressway.

Trucks picking up blacktop will proceed north along the entrance road along the east side of the

site, turn left into the Plant Area, wait until signaled to pull under the plant discharge and hot

silos, receive their load of blacktop, pull out from beneath the plant heading north, turn left (west)

onto the perimeter access road, go around the north side of the lab and proceed south to the site

exit onto the Port Expressway.

Overall, the flow of traffic on the entrance road/perimeter access road will be one-way in a

counter-clockwise direction.

Two rollover curbs will be placed in the entrance/perimeter access road to contain stormwater on

site. The rollover curb is a surface water divide in the road that on one side directs stormwater

back towards the interior of the site and on the other keeps stormwater from entering the site.

The entrance/perimeter access road will be paved. Details of the road construction are shown on

the Detail Sheets.

4.2 Access Control

Access to the site will be controlled by perimeter berms and the gates on the entrance

road/perimeter access road, as shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed Conditions). The gates’

typical construction is shown on the Details Sheets.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

4.3 Truck Routes

Employee vehicles and most delivery trucks will travel south and west on the Port Expressway to

Riverside Avenue to access the site. The nearest liquid asphalt distributor is Gorman Brothers,

located further south of the site in the Port of Rensselaer, so it is expected that liquid asphalt

deliveries will come via Riverside Avenue from the south.

Trucks leaving the Port of Rensselaer from this site will use NYS Route 9J and US Route 20.

The potential impact of project generated traffic is assessed in the Traffic Study prepared by

Creighton Manning Engineers. No significant impact is expected since the trucks will use

designated truck routes designed to carry truck traffic before exiting onto state or federal

highways intended for truck traffic.

4.4 Blacktop Plant Components and Layout

The proposed blacktop plant will be a drum mix plant. The plant will mix coarse aggregate

(crushed stone), sand and liquid asphalt to produce blacktop. Drum mix plants produce one type

of blacktop at a time in a continuous feed as compared to batch plants that can make a different

batch of blacktop for each “batch”. Drum mix plants are becoming more common than batch

plants because they are more efficient, employ superior emission control technology and produce

a generally more uniform and higher quality product.

The blacktop plant consists of various components, all necessary for its efficient operation. These

components are:

 Cold feed bins—Aggregates at ambient temperatures (hence the term “cold”) are

loaded into these bins, metered out through the bottom onto a conveyor that delivers

the aggregates to the drum. A screen removes potential clumps in the aggregate

before it enters the drum.

 RAP bins—RAP is loaded into bins, crushed to size in a single pass, metered out

through the bottom onto a conveyor that delivers the aggregates to the drum. The

RAP is fed into the drum mixing zone as a means of controlling blue smoke. A

screen removes potential clumps in the RAP before it enters the drum.

 Drum—The drum is a near horizontally oriented cylinder that slowly rotates.

Aggregates are fed into the drum and heated by a low NO

emissions burner which

dries the aggregates and heats them to the temperature of the liquid asphalt,

promoting better adhesion and a more durable blacktop. The drum uses counterflow

technology which means the aggregate moves in the opposite direction of the heat

from the burner. Aggregate moves through the center of the drum and is heated

while the RAP is introduced into an isolated mixing chamber behind the burner.

Flights inside the drum keep the RAP flowing along the exterior of the drum where it

is subject to less heat. These technologies control odors and blue smoke. Liquid

asphalt is metered into the drum in the mixing area before the aggregate/RAP/liquid

asphalt mixture is removed from the drum via hot mix conveyor to the hot storage

silos and discharge area.

 Hot Storage Silos/Discharge Area—Trucks pull onto one of the two scales under the

silos and discharge area to be loaded. The appropriate mix is dropped via chute into

the waiting truck. When full, the truck pulls out, trims, picks up a ticket at the

control room, covers the blacktop at the truck rack and leaves the site. Since a drum

plant produces one mix at a time, the hot storage silos serve the purpose of holding

and discharging multiple mixes and providing surge storage. The use of silos tends

to even out the flow of traffic. The silos are heated to keep the blacktop from

hardening.

 Baghouse—One of the most noticeable and largest components of the blacktop plant

are the emission control features, including the baghouse. The emissions from the

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

drum are collected by a positive reclaim system and fed back in a closed loop to the

burner for ignition to prevent blue smoke and odors. The exhaust emissions are fed

by enclosed duct to the baghouse. Oversized particles are removed at the entrance to

the baghouse and the air is circulated in a circuitous path through the hanging bags.

Particulates adhere to and drop from the bags and are collected by a screw conveyor

that moves the dust to a collection silo. The collection silo is periodically emptied

and stored on site. The baghouse removes approximately 99.94 percent of particulate

matter and modern blacktop plants are minor sources of dust. Most of the dust is re-

incorporated into the blacktop.

 Control Room— The plant is highly automated with the controls located in this room.

The plant operator works in this room, sets the plant to produce the desired mixes and

prints the ticket for each load

 Liquid Storage—Liquids used in the manufacture of blacktop and maintenance of the

plant are stored in the area northwest of the drum. These tanks are located within

impermeable secondary containment. Trucks delivering these fluids park on an

impermeable concrete pad.

 Lab—Routine labs tests required by specifying agencies are performed in the lab.

This testing ensures that high quality blacktop is produced.

 Spray Bars and Truck Racks—Automated spray bars spray the bed of blacktop trucks

to prevent blacktop from sticking. This process is automated and controlled by the

plant operator to prevent truck drivers from over application and subsequent leakage.

The truck racks after the plant allow truck drivers to trim and cover the blacktop prior

to leaving the site. The spray bars are located on an impermeable pad.

The locations, sizes and heights of the buildings and necessary structures are shown on the Site

Plan Map (Proposed Conditions). The tallest buildings are the fuel and additive storage buildings

which will be approximately 18 feet high. The hot storage silos are the tallest structures and will

be approximately 66 feet high with necessary appurtenances (e.g. blacktop elevator) that are

approximately 84 feet high. The City ordinance applies to buildings and allows necessary

structures (such as elevators) to be up to 87.5 feet high.

4.5 Stockpile Area

Aggregate and RAP will be hauled to the site in tri-axle dump trucks (22 ton loads) and trailer

dump (34 ton loads) trucks. The aggregates and RAP that make up the bulk of the blacktop will

be stored in open piles in the Stockpile Area in the southern part of the property. The Stockpile

Area will be bermed along its perimeter and graded to direct stormwater towards the stormwater

management area.

The floor of the Stockpile Area will be covered with crushed stone.

The size and location of the stockpiles will vary over time as materials will be delivered and fed

to the plant and different aggregates will be needed for different types of blacktop. In general, it

is anticipated that the aggregates will consist of different sizes of crushed stone (e.g. NYSDOT

#3, #2, #1, #1A, Screenings, Natural Sand) so it’s not possible to state how much of each product

will be on site at any time. The height of the stockpiles will be approximately 20 feet or less.

RAP will also be stored in the Stockpile Area. RAP from milled up roads will be re-used in the

blacktop, thereby reducing the need to landfill, reducing the amount of aggregates needed, and

reducing the amount of fuel and asphalt needed.

Aggregates and RAP will be excavated from the piles by a rubber tired front end loader and fed to

the cold feed and RAP bins, respectively.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

4.6 Stormwater Management Area

Currently, stormwater drains towards the railroad spur along the east side of the site. Water

collects along the railroad spur and infiltrates or overflows the area, entering the existing

stormwater system along Riverside Avenue near its intersection with the Port Expressway.

The perimeter of the site will be bermed to prevent runon into the site and keep runoff from

leaving disturbed areas of the site. Rollover curbs will be placed on the perimeter access road to

keep the site drainage internal and prevent runon to the site.

Runoff from the Stockpile and Plant Areas will be directed to the Stormwater Management Area

(“SMA”) in the east-center of the site. The runoff will enter a stone-lined ditch along the west

and north sides of the SMA. The ditch will empty into a sediment trap which will empty into a

detention pond. Water will be treated in this system prior to being discharged into the same

stormwater system that currently receives the site’s runoff.

4.7 Parking

Approximately six people will be employed at the site. Off-street parking for 15 has been

provided: three spots by the lab and 12 spots by the plant.

4.8 Lighting

NYSDOT, the Thruway Authority and other specifying agencies periodically require that roads

be paved at night for the convenience of the motoring public. The adjacent power plants operate

at night also. Therefore, the site will be equipped with lights for required night time operations.

The existing lighting will be kept in place as much as possible. The Stockpile Area will be lit by

two of the existing pole mounted lights. The pole in the southern part of the Stockpile Area will

be moved a few feet to the southeast to avoid areas frequented by equipment.

The cold feed bins and RAP bins will be lit by another of the existing pole mounted lights.

The Plant Area will be illuminated by hooded lights mounted on the plant and related structures.

The locations of the existing and proposed lights are shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed

Conditions).

4.9 Truck Loading Areas

Trucks will be loaded with blacktop under the hot storage silos, described in Section 4.4 above.

4.10 Equipment Operation

Heavy equipment will be used as needed to operate the site. Rubber tired front end loaders will

operate in the Stockpile Area to feed RAP and aggregates to the blacktop plant. A small skid

steer will be used to clean up loose debris, mainly in the Plant Area. A small off-road truck will

move material around the site on an infrequent basis. An excavator will be used to clean out

stormwater features for a few days per year. On road trucks will deliver aggregates (primarily

trailer dumps), deliver RAP (a mix of tri-axle dumps and trailer dumps) and pick up blacktop

(primarily tri-axle dumps).

4.11 Water Supply

Water service will be obtained by tying into the existing City water lines. The City of Rensselaer

Water Department indicated there is sufficient pressure and supply for the limited water use

expected at the site.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

4.12 Natural Gas

The burner on the drum will be fueled by natural gas, used oil or fuel oil. A gas service exists on

the east side of Riverside Avenue. The utility company has been contacted regarding tying into

this service. The proposed tie-in is shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed Conditions).

4.13 Electricity

The remaining fixed equipment at the site will be powered by electricity. Electrical service exists

along Riverside Avenue adjacent to the site. The utility company has been contacted regarding

tying into this service. The proposed tie-in is shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed Conditions).

4.14 Sewage

According to Rensselaer County and the City, there is no sewer service near the site. An on-site

septic system will be constructed in the northeast part of the site, as shown on the Site Plan Map

(Proposed Conditions). The septic leach field will likely be raised bed above the elevation of the

100-year floodplain and designed and built in accordance with the County Department of Health

requirements.

4.15 Buffer Zones and Green Space

The site covers approximately 12.4 acres, of which 5.8 acres will be used by the blacktop plant,

roads, stockpile area and related features. Another 0.8 acres is covered by the stormwater

management area. Approximately 53 percent of the site will remain as green space.

4.16 Landscaping

The site is zoned industrial and is located in the center of the Port of Rensselaer surrounded by

heavy industrial uses, including a metal salvage yard, a cogeneration plant, a power plant, large

fuel storage facilities and the industrial Port of Albany across the Hudson River. The details of

revegetating disturbed areas such as perimeter berms are described in Section 3.1.3 of the

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (“SWPPP”).

4.17 Signs

The proposed signs for the exterior of the site are shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed

Conditions) and the Detail Sheets. The signs will include:

 A sign at the entrance to identify the site

 A “Do Not Enter” sign at the exit (since the perimeter road is one way)

 Bicycle crossing signs at the points where the proposed bike path crosses the

entrance/perimeter access road

 A stop sign at the exit

Additional signs will be used on site to direct traffic, limit speed, notify truck drivers to cover

loads and other purposes for the safe and efficient operation of the site. These signs will be

internal to the site.

4.18 Pedestrian Access

No pedestrian access to the site is required or proposed.

5.0 APPROVALS

The following approvals are required to begin construction of the site:

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

 Special Use Permit from the City of Rensselaer—the site is located within the

Floodplain Overlay, although the elevation of most of the site is above the 100-year

floodplain elevation of approximately 19 to 20 feet.

 Site Plan Review by the City of Rensselaer

 Floodplain Development Permit Application by the City of Rensselaer

 Construction SWPPP for the City of Rensselaer—addresses stormwater and sediment

control during the construction of the site

 NYSDEC Air Registration

 Rensselaer County Health Department approval of septic system—to be obtained

once City site plan approval has been obtained;

In addition, the following plans will be required after the above approvals are granted:

 NYSDEC Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities—this is a general

permit that requires submission (30 days prior to beginning operation of the blacktop

plant) of a Notice of Intent and preparation of a SWPPP for the post-construction (i.e.

blacktop plant) activities at the site. This plan is kept on-site and does not require

regulatory review.

 EPA Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan (“SPCC”)—this plan describes the

efforts to prevent, control and clean up potential spills at the site. It is required to be

prepared and implemented within the first six months of the site’s operation and does

not require regulatory review.

 NYSDEC Petroleum Bulk Storage Registration—all bulk storage will be done in

accordance with applicable NYSDEC requirements. The Site Plan accounts for

required impermeable pads and impermeable secondary containment. The

registration will be obtained from NYSDEC once the bulk storage is purchased.

The information in this application duplicates the information that would be included in the two

above plans.

6.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION

The site is located in the City of Rensselaer Industrial Zoning District and is in the active Port of

Albany-Rensselaer. The site is surrounded by existing heavy industrial activities including but not

limited to:

 The Besicorp-Empire Power Generation Plant;

 The Fulton Cogeneration Associates Power Cogeneration Plant

 A large-scale scrap-metal crusher and export operation; and

 Several active petroleum bulk storage and distribution facilities, the closest being the

Getty Terminal Facility and Polsinello Fuels (see Location Map on page 2).

In addition, the land west of the site (across and on the west side of the Hudson River) is occupied

by a variety of heavy industrial activities in the Port of Albany-Rensselaer.

This is an ideal location for a blacktop plant. The proposed blacktop plant will assimilate well

into the surrounding heavy industrial activities and will not cause any significant contrast to the

industrial character of the zoning district. All potential sensitive receptors are separated from this

site by intervening heavy industrial activity. The distances between the nearest potential

receptors are:

 Ft. Crailo—approximately 3700 feet north of site

 Ball Field—approximately 3300 feet north of site

 Educational facility—SUNY facility on US Route 20—approximately 2600 feet

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

 Nearest residential area to the north—approximately 3300 feet

 Nearest residence in primarily commercial area east of site—approximately 1400 feet

 Nearest residential area—approximately 1800 feet east of site.

The potential impacts of the proposed project are described below and in the May 9, 2011 letter to

Sarah Crowell in the Appendix.

6.1 Potential Air Impacts

A blacktop plant operated on line power, as proposed, is a minor source of emissions. The

proposed plant has been capped out by rule (limiting the amount of emissions) and only requires

an air registration from NYSDEC. There are six reported Title V facilities near the site, five in

the Port of Rensselaer and one on US Route 20 just north of the site. Title V facilities produce

emissions that are each at least 10 times more than the emissions proposed from this site during a

busy year.

The proposed emissions controls were described above in Section 4.4 and are summarized below.

These technologies will control dust and other emissions from the site.

 Counterflow and internal flight technology in the drum limits the liquid asphalt

exposure to the high temperatures needed to dry the aggregate;

 RAP is fed into the drum mixing chamber behind the burner, limiting the exposure of

the asphalt to the high temperatures needed to dry the aggregate;

 Fumes from the drum are captured and fed via closed duct to the burner where they

are burned

 Captured air is vented through the baghouse which removes approximately 99.94

percent of particulate matter

Further, measures are taken to control the moisture of the aggregate and RAP stockpiles (see

Stockpile Maintenance Plan in the Appendix). Drier aggregate requires less fuel consumption

and produces fewer emissions.

Fugitive dust will be controlled via best management practices outlined in the Fugitive Dust

Control Plan in the Appendix.

The project will not emit 1000 tons per year of carbon dioxide, 3.5 tons per year of nitrous oxide,

1000 tons per year of carbon equivalent of perfluorocarbons, 0.045 tons per year of sulfur

hexafluoride, more than 1000 tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalent

hydrochlorofluorcarbons, 43 tons per year of methane, 10 tons per year of any one designated

hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or 25 tons per year of any combination of HAP, does not have an

emission rate or more than 5 pounds per hour, will not produce more than 10 million BTUs per

hour and will not use more than 2500 MW hours of electricity per year and will not exceed 50%

of any of the two emission thresholds.

An air permit registration was submitted to NYSDEC, the recognized authority on air approvals.

NYSDEC indicated the air registration is not subject to public review because it is a minor source

that requires only an air registration, the lowest form of approval granted by NYSDEC (see chart

on following page describing the various levels of air approvals). Blacktop plants have high

degrees of emission control and are small sources of emissions. The fact that the proposed plant

requires an air registration from NYSDEC is proof that it is not

a significant source of air

emissions.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

The minor nature of the emissions from this facility combined with the proposed emission control

technology and best management practices will ensure that this site will not have a significant

impact on air quality and not generate blue smoke or offensive odors.

6.2 Traffic

The potential impact of project-generated traffic is assessed in the Traffic Study and

Supplemental Traffic Analysis prepared by Creighton Manning Engineers. These studies were

submitted under separate cover and are included in the Appendix.

6.3 Visual

A Visual Impact Assessment was done in accordance with the NYSDEC Visual Policy. This

study is in the Appendix.

The site is located in an industrially zoned area in the center of the Port of Rensselaer, surrounded

by heavy industrial uses. The industrial activities at the site are located as far from Riverside

Avenue and the Port Expressway as possible and perimeter berms and large green spaces

(approximately 53 percent of the site) are located along the parts of the site most visible from

these roads. The visual character of the site will be consistent with the zoning and surrounding

land-uses and there are no potential residential receptors near the site. No significant visual

impacts will occur.

6.4 Proposed Bike Path

As part of a prior approval of the cogeneration plant, a bike path is proposed to be built along

Riverside Avenue and the Port Expressway, ending in an overlook area along the southwest side

of the site. The bike path winds through a heavy industrial area and the overlook area will have a

tree obscured vista of a portion of the industrial Port of Albany.

The bike path will cross the entrance and exit. Striping and signage will be placed at these

locations sufficient to alert vehicles and bicyclists.

The vegetated perimeter berms between the site and proposed bike path and overlook area will

provide screening. However, the proposed site is consistent with the surrounding industrial land-

uses so there will be no significant impacts to the bike path or overlook area.

6.5 Noise

The area surrounding the site is industrial in nature and potential sensitive receptors are not

located proximal to the site. To determine compliance with the noise provisions of the City

ordinance and to assess potential impacts to receptors as per the State Environmental Quality

Review Act (SEQRA), the following work was performed:

 We familiarized ourselves with the nature of the community, and identified potential

receptors, existing noise sources and representative ambient monitoring locations

 We monitored ambient sound levels at the chosen locations on Riverside Avenue, the

Port Expressway and the residential area to the east of site (see map on page 2).

 We familiarized ourselves with the types of equipment that would operate at the site

and the general nature of site activities in order to identify potential noise sources.

 We obtained sound measurements of equipment from other sites and from equipment

manufacturers that were representative of the equipment to be used at the site.

 We modeled the on-site sound levels, calculating the attenuation to the streets, as per

the noise provisions of the City ordinance, and to the nearest potential receptors,

consistent with the principles of SEQRA.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL NOISE IMPACTS

Receptor Location Sound Level of

Trucks

Sound Level of

Stockpile Area

Sound Level of

Plant

Ambient Sound

Level

New Ambient

Sound Level

Increase

Riverside Avenue (East) 63.0 54.8 63.1 68.5 70.6 +2.1

Riverside Avenue (South) 51.4 56.2 62.5 67.1 68.7 +1.6

Residential Area to East 37.6 45.9 47.6 54.6 55.5 +1.3

Overlook Area 65.5 57.3 51.8 67.1 69.6 +2.5

All sound readings in dBA (one-hour L

)

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

 The expected sound levels due to on-site activities at the potential receptors to

determine the changes in the ambient sound level. These changes in sound levels

were compared to applicable standards and mitigation was added as needed. The

results of this analysis are shown on the table on the next page.

The main noise sources in the area are the two power plants, the metal salvage yard, traffic on the

local roads and other industrial activities in the Port of Rensselaer.

6.5.1 Expected Sound Level at Riverside Avenue (East of Site)

The expected sound level of trucks on the perimeter access road, the loader and trucks in the

Stockpile Area and the Plant Area at Riverside Avenue is expected to be 63.0 dBA, 54.8 dBA and

63.1 dBA, respectively. The existing ambient sound level at Riverside Avenue was measured to

range from 68.5 to 70.2 dBA. Even assuming the lower ambient sound level, the resulting

combined sound level would be 70.6 dBA, a change from the current ambient level of 2.1 dBA.

Increases of less than three dBA are imperceptible to barely perceptible and well within the

normal fluctuation of sound levels in this area. No significant impact will occur.

6.5.2 Expected Sound Level at Riverside Avenue (South of Site)

The expected sound level of trucks on the perimeter access road, the loader and trucks in the

Stockpile Area and the Plant Area at Riverside Avenue to the south of the site is expected to be

51.4 dBA, 56.2 dBA and 62.5 dBA, respectively. The existing ambient sound level measured at

the Port Expressway ranged from 67.1 to 69.6 dBA. Even assuming the lower ambient sound

level, the resulting combined sound level would be 68.7 dBA, a change from the current ambient

level of 1.6 dBA. Increases of less than three dBA are imperceptible to barely perceptible and

well within the normal fluctuation of sound levels in this area. No significant impact will occur.

6.5.3 Expected Sound Level at Residential Area

The expected sound level of trucks on the perimeter access road, the loader and trucks in the

Stockpile Area and the Plant Area at the residential area to the east of the site is expected to be

37.6 dBA, 45.9 dBA and 47.6 dBA, respectively. The existing ambient sound level measured at

the residential area ranged from 54.6 to 55.5 dBA. Even assuming the lower ambient sound level,

the resulting combined sound level would be 55.9 dBA, a change from the current ambient level

of 1.3 dBA. Increases of less than three dBA are imperceptible to barely perceptible and well

within the normal fluctuation of sound levels in this area. No significant impact will occur.

6.5.4 Expected Sound Level at Overlook Area

The expected sound level of trucks on the perimeter access road, the loader and trucks in the

Stockpile Area and the Plant Area at the proposed overlook area to the southwest of the site is

expected to be 65.3 dBA, 57.3 dBA and 51.8 dBA, respectively. The existing ambient sound

level was measured at Riverside Avenue was measured to range from 67.1 to 69.6 dBA. Even

assuming the lower ambient sound level, the resulting combined sound level would be 69.6 dBA,

a change from the current ambient level of 2.5 dBA. Increases of less than three dBA are

imperceptible to barely perceptible and well within the normal fluctuation of sound levels in this

area. No significant impact will occur.

6.5.5 Recommended Noise Best Management Practices

Although the acoustical analysis above indicated no potential significant changes in the sound

levels around the site due to the proposed project, the following best management practices are

recommended to keep sound levels low and to address potential impulse sounds:

 Equipment, including noise control mufflers, should be kept in good repair

 Speed limits on the site should be 15 miles per hour

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

 The blacktop plant should be oriented as shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed

Conditions). This location and orientation was chosen because it orients the loudest

part of the plant away from potential receptors and keeps the loudest site activities as

far from public areas as possible.

 The proposed entrance/perimeter access road should be paved. A smooth road

reduces the sound level of trucks.

 Loadout from the stockpiles should be from the interior of the piles, thus leaving the

bulk of the piles as a sound barrier between the equipment and potential off-site

receptors to the maximum extent practicable.

 The proposed flow through traffic patterns will reduce the need for heavy equipment

to back up. However, the loader in the Stockpile Area should be equipped with a

white noise back up alarm or a sonar activated alarm that only sounds when it detects

an obstacle behind the reversing loader.

 Truck drivers will be instructed to use jake brakes only in emergency situations.

 Truck drivers will be instructed to not slam tailgates when they empty a load of RAP

or aggregate.

6.5.6 Noise Conclusions

There will be no significant noise impact due to site operation even at the closest public and

residential areas. More distant locations will similarly not be impacted.

6.6 Floodplain

The site has been laid out so that no structures are located in the 100-year floodplain.

Approximately 1050 cubic yards of fill will be placed in the 100-year floodplain area. The septic

system will likely be a raised bed system above the 100-year floodplain level and will be

approved by the County Department of Health. The displacement of potential floodwaters by the

fill (entrance/perimeter access road and some of the perimeter berms along the eastern side of the

site) will result in no significant increase in flood level. No significant impacts will occur.

6.7 Stormwater

Potential impacts to stormwater during operations were an integral part of laying out the site and

have been addressed in the Site Plan. These measures include:

 Perimeter berms will control runon to the site and prevent runoff from the Plant and

Stockpile Areas

 Rollover curbs on the entrance/perimeter access road will keep sediment laden

stormwater on-site.

 The roads will be paved and swept regularly to prevent trackage onto public roads

and buildup of sediment

 Trackage and spillage will be cleaned up promptly

 Approximately 53 percent of the site will be green space.

 Disturbed areas outside the Plant and Stockpile Areas will be revegetated.

 The Plant and Stockpile Areas will drain internally to the Stormwater Management

Area for treatment and promotion of infiltration prior to discharge to the existing

stormwater system along the Port Expressway.

Erosion and sediment control issues during construction are addressed in the Construction

SWPPP.

Petroleum products are stored in double-lined containers or within impermeable secondary

containment. Delivery of these products will occur on an impermeable pad, as shown in the Site

Plan. Inspection, spill prevention and spill prevention training will be done in accordance with

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

applicable EPA and NYSDEC requirements. Spill clean up kits will be kept on site and the

NYSDEC Spill Hotline will be contacted in the event of a reportable spill. Any spills will be

cleaned up properly.

6.8 Groundwater

No significant impacts to groundwater or groundwater users will occur due to project

implementation. The site is remotely located and surrounded by larger and more intense

industrial uses than proposed for this site. There are no groundwater users near the site.

Best management practices to protect surface and groundwater are described in the Construction

SWPPP. These measures include but are not limited to:

 Controlling runoff from the site and directing it to the Stormwater Management

system for treatment prior to discharge;

 The septic system will likely be a raised bed system above the 100-year floodplain

level and will be approved by the County Department of Health;

 Storing petroleum products, additives and asphalt in covered buildings and in doubly

lined tanks with secondary containment;

 All petroleum products will be stored in accordance with petroleum bulk storage

regulations;

 Fuel transfer areas will be paved;

 Equipment parking areas will be paved; and

 The site will operate under a Multi-Sector General Permit and a Spill Prevention,

Countermeasure and Control Plan.

6.9 Plants and Wildlife

The site has been historically used for industrial purposes and was recently used as a construction

lay down and parking area during the construction of the nearby power plant. The site is covered

by a layer of crushed stone that in turn overlies a layer of older fill.

NYSDEC was contacted when this project began and stated that although there are significant

species that have been identified in the area that since the site had been previously disturbed there

was no potential to impact any species or habitat. No significant habitat exists on the site—the

site is almost exclusively covered by a barren layer of crushed stone (see photos below). No

potential impacts to plants and wildlife can occur.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

Photo looking northeasterly showing the general nature of the site. The site has been previously

disturbed and is covered by a layer of crusher run.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

Photo looking southeasterly showing the general nature of the site. The site has been previously

disturbed and is covered by a layer of crusher run.

6.10 Cultural Resources

A Phase 1A/1BCultural Resources investigation was performed at the site and is include din the

Appendix. This investigation found that most of the native soils had been removed by prior

industrial activities over a large portion of the site. The site has been historically used for

industrial purposes and was recently used as a construction lay down and parking area during the

construction of the nearby power plant. The site is covered by a layer of crushed stone that in

turn overlies a layer of older fill. No significant impacts to cultural resources were identified.

The potential impacts of the project on existing or potentially eligible historical resources in the

surrounding community were investigated in the Visual Study in the Appendix. No significant

impacts will occur to historical resources.

6.11 Energy Use

The proposed plant will be powered by electricity supplied by the adjacent utility line. The drum

will use natural gas from the adjacent gas service. There is no indication there is insufficient

capacity to connect to the adjacent gas and electrical services and no indication this relatively

minor user will require construction of a new substation or upgrading of an existing substation.

The site is adjacent to a series of transmission lines so the only added infrastructure would be the

connection. The electrical lines already extend to the site so this would require minimal work.

The project is not well-suited for using on-site renewable energy sources. There is very little free

space on-site so it would not be practical to set up a large array of solar panels of a wind turbine.

In fact, to do so would be almost as much of a project as building the blacktop plant. There is no

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

usable hydroelectric power on site. The project proposes to use the available adjacent gas and

electrical services, both of which are widely recognized as clean energy sources. The blacktop

plant will be state of the art and more fuel efficient and cleaner than the older plants that are

currently serving this market. Construction of this plant will not create additional demand for

blacktop but it will reduce overall emissions by reducing the distance traveled by trucks to and

from the blacktop plant and by having a cleaner, more fuel efficient plant. Overall, this plant will

reduce energy consumption.

In addition, this plant will be more capable of fully using recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in the

blacktop. This reduces the need for asphalt, requires less energy to make blacktop and

incorporates a potential waste product into a valuable and salable product.

Energy will not be significantly impacted by the project.

6.12 Odor and Light

These potential impacts were also addressed earlier in this application. The proposed plant will

be state of the art and incorporates technology to prevent odors and blue smoke.

A lighting plan was submitted with the application and all lights were hooded and shown only on

the site. Further:

 There are no residences or receptors adjacent to the site that could be impacted by the

limited lights to be used at the site;

 The site is located in the middle of an industrial zoned area surrounded by other more

intensive industrial uses—these uses employ lighting to a much greater extent than

the proposed blacktop plant; and

 The site will typically only operate at night when supplying a project mandated

(typically NYSDOT) paving job. Nighttime paving is done to reduce impacts to the

driving public and benefits everyone.

The project will not produce odors and lighting will not be a significant impact.

6.13 Human Health

The presence of a spill remediation on or adjacent to the site or the disposal of solid or hazardous

waste on other sites is not relevant to an assessment of the potential impacts of this project. The

BASF site is located more than 2000 feet north of the site but construction and operation of a

blacktop plant on our property will not affect the remediation done on that property or any other

properties. There will be no export of on-site materials from this property. The on-site materials

will be graded and used on site.

The only known institutional controls limiting the use of the site are: (1) the bike path and

overlook which are outside the limits of the project and were purposely avoided by the project;

and (2) the easements for utilities which were identified and purposely avoided during the design

and layout of the property. The only interaction between easements and the projects will be

where the access roads cross such easements and this crossing is not contravened by the

easements and will in no way impact the utilities that are the subject of the easements.

Human health will not be significantly impacted by the project.

6.14 Community Character

Local fire, EMS and police departments are staffed and equipped to protect industrial

installations. The project will place no additional demands on schools.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant Application for Blacktop Plant 5/31/11

The site has been previously disturbed, most recently having been graded and covered by a layer

of crusher run to serve as a lay down and parking area for the construction of the adjacent power

generating plant. A cultural resources investigation has been performed and no evidence of

historical structures has been found on the site to date. The Visual Study assessed potential

impacts to all structures within the study area, including historical structures, and no significant

impacts were identified.

The site is zoned industrial, has been used for industrial purposes in the past and the

comprehensive and riverfront revitalization plans both call for its continued industrial use. By

definition, projects that comply with the locally adopted planning documents cannot have a

significant impact on community character.

No potential impacts to the bike path or overlook will occur, as outlined in Section 6.4 above.

APPENDIX

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM, PART 1

617.20

Appendix A

State Environmental Quality Review

FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM

Purpose: The full EAF is designed to help applicants and agencies determine, in an orderly manner, whether a project or action may

be significant. The question of whether an action may be significant is not always easy to answer. Frequently, there are aspects of

a project that are subjective or unmeasurable. It is also understood that those who determine significance may have little or no formal

knowledge of the environment or may not be technically expert in environmental analysis. In addition, many who have knowledge

in one particular area may not be aware of the broader concerns affecting the question of significance.

The full EAF is intended to provide a method whereby applicants and agencies can be assured that the determination process

has been orderly, comprehensive in nature, yet flexible enough to allow introduction of information to fit a project or action.

Full EAF Components: The full EAF is comprised of three parts:

Part 1: Provides objective data and information about a given project and its site. By identifying basic project data, it assists

a reviewer in the analysis that takes place in Parts 2 and 3.

Part 2: Focuses on identifying the range of possible impacts that may occur from a project or action. It provides guidance

as to whether an impact is likely to be considered small to moderate or whether it is a potentially-large impact. The

form also identifies whether an impact can be mitigated or reduced.

Part 3: If any impact in Part 2 is identified as potentially-large, then Part 3 is used to evaluate whether or not the impact is

actually important.

THIS AREA FOR LEAD AGENCY USE ONLY

DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE -- Type 1 and Unlisted Actions

Identify the Portions of EAF completed for this project: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Upon review of the information recorded on this EAF (Parts 1 and 2 and 3 if appropriate), and any other supporting information, and

considering both the magnitude and importance of each impact, it is reasonably determined by the lead agency that:

A. The project will not result in any large and important impact(s) and, therefore, is one which will not have a

significant impact on the environment, therefore a negative declaration will be prepared.

B. Although the project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect

for this Unlisted Action because the mitigation measures described in PART 3 have been required, therefore

a CONDITIONED negative declaration will be prepared.*

C. The project may result in one or more large and important impacts that may have a significant impact on the

environment, therefore a positive declaration will be prepared.

*A Conditioned Negative Declaration is only valid for Unlisted Actions

Name of Action

Name of Lead Agency

Print or Type Name of Responsible Officer in Lead Agency Title of Responsible Officer

Signature of Responsible Officer in Lead Agency

Signature of Preparer (If different from responsible officer)

Date

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Page 1 of 10

PART 1--PROJECT INFORMATION

Prepared by Project Sponsor

NOTICE: This document is designed to assist in determining whether the action proposed may have a significant effect on the

environment. Please complete the entire form, Parts A through E. Answers to these questions will be considered as part of the

application for approval and may be subject to further verification and public review. Provide any additional information you believe

will be needed to complete Parts 2 and 3.

It is expected that completion of the full EAF will be dependent on information currently available and will not involve new studies,

research or investigation. If information requiring such additional work is unavailable, so indicate and specify each instance.

Name of Action

Location of Action (include Street Address, Municipality and County)

Name of Applicant/Sponsor

Address

City / PO State Zip Code

Business Telephone

Name of Owner (if different)

Address

City / PO State Zip Code

Business Telephone

Description of Action:

New Castle Asphalt, LLC--Proposed Blacktop Plant

Riverside Drive, Port of Rensselaer, City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County, New York

New Castle Asphalt, LLC

118 Button Road

Waterford

12188

(518) 432-4470

Albany-Rensselaer Port District Commission

106 Smith Boulevard

Albany

12202

(518) 463-8763

Construction and operation of a 400 ton per hour capacity drum mix blacktop plant on an industrially zoned parcel approximately 12

acres in size.

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Page 2 of 10

Please Complete Each Question--Indicate N.A. if not applicable

A. SITE DESCRIPTION

Physical setting of overall project, both developed and undeveloped areas.

1. Present Land Use: Urban Industrial Commercial Residential (suburban) Rural (non-farm)

Forest Agriculture Other

Total acreage of project area: acres.

APPROXIMATE ACREAGE PRESENTLY AFTER COMPLETION

Meadow or Brushland (Non-agricultural) acres acres

Forested acres acres

Agricultural (Includes orchards, cropland, pasture, etc.) acres acres

Wetland (Freshwater or tidal as per Articles 24,25 of ECL) acres acres

Water Surface Area acres acres

Unvegetated (Rock, earth or fill) acres acres

Roads, buildings and other paved surfaces acres acres

Other (Indicate type) acres acres

3. What is predominant soil type(s) on project site?

a. Soil drainage: Well drained % of site Moderately well drained % of site.

Poorly drained % of site

b. If any agricultural land is involved, how many acres of soil are classified within soil group 1 through 4 of the NYS Land

Classification System?

acres (see 1 NYCRR 370).

Are there bedrock outcroppings on project site? Yes No

a. What is depth to bedrock (in feet)

Approximate percentage of proposed project site with slopes:

0-10% % 10- 15% % 15% or greater %

Is project substantially contiguous to, or contain a building, site, or district, listed on the State or National Registers of

Historic Places? Yes No

7. Is project substantially contiguous to a site listed on the Register of National Natural Landmarks? Yes No

What is the depth of the water table? (in feet)

Is site located over a primary, principal, or sole source aquifer? Yes No

10.

Do hunting, fishing or shell fishing opportunities presently exist in the project area? Yes No

✔

Former staging area for power plant construction

0.5

✔

100

N/A

■

>100'

✔

■

12-17'

■

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✔

Page 3 of 10

Udorthents (sandy), part of site covered by crusher run

11. Does project site contain any species of plant or animal life that is identified as threatened or endangered? Yes No

According to:

Identify each species:

12. Are there any unique or unusual land forms on the project site? (i.e., cliffs, dunes, other geological formations?

Yes No

Describe:

13. Is the project site presently used by the community or neighborhood as an open space or recreation area?

Yes No

If yes, explain:

14.

Does the present site include scenic views known to be important to the community? Yes No

15. Streams within or contiguous to project area:

a. Name of Stream and name of River to which it is tributary

16. Lakes, ponds, wetland areas within or contiguous to project area:

b. Size (in acres):

■

Site previously disturbed

N/A

■

N/A

■

N/A

■

N/A

Hudson River is the western boundary of the property

N/A

None

N/A

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Page 4 of 10

17.

Is the site served by existing public utilities? Yes No

a. If YES, does sufficient capacity exist to allow connection? Yes No

b. If YES, will improvements be necessary to allow connection? Yes No

18.

Is the site located in an agricultural district certified pursuant to Agriculture and Markets Law, Article 25-AA, Section 303 and

304? Yes No

19. Is the site located in or substantially contiguous to a Critical Environmental Area designated pursuant to Article 8 of the ECL,

and 6 NYCRR 617?

Yes No

20.

Has the site ever been used for the disposal of solid or hazardous wastes? Yes No

Project Description

Physical dimensions and scale of project (fill in dimensions as appropriate).

a. Total contiguous acreage owned or controlled by project sponsor: acres.

b. Project acreage to be developed: acres initially; acres ultimately.

c. Project acreage to remain undeveloped: acres.

d. Length of project, in miles: (if appropriate)

e. If the project is an expansion, indicate percent of expansion proposed. %

f. Number of off-street parking spaces existing ; proposed

g. Maximum vehicular trips generated per hour: (upon completion of project)?

h. If residential: Number and type of housing units:

One Family Two Family Multiple Family Condominium

Initially

Ultimately

i. Dimensions (in feet) of largest proposed structure: height; width; length.

j. Linear feet of frontage along a public thoroughfare project will occupy is? ft.

2. How much natural material (i.e. rock, earth, etc.) will be removed from the site? tons/cubic yards.

3. Will disturbed areas be reclaimed Yes No N/A

a. If yes, for what intended purpose is the site being reclaimed?

b. Will topsoil be stockpiled for reclamation? Yes No

c. Will upper subsoil be stockpiled for reclamation? Yes No

How many acres of vegetation (trees, shrubs, ground covers) will be removed from site? acres.

■

N/A

Varies

N/A

■

N/A

■

1ac grass

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Page 5 of 10

5. Will any mature forest (over 100 years old) or other locally-important vegetation be removed by this project?

Yes No

6. If single phase project: Anticipated period of construction: months, (including demolition)

7. If multi-phased:

a. Total number of phases anticipated (number)

b. Anticipated date of commencement phase 1: month year, (including demolition)

c. Approximate completion date of final phase: month year.

d. Is phase 1 functionally dependent on subsequent phases? Yes No

8. Will blasting occur during construction ? Yes No

9. Number of jobs generated: during construction ; after project is complete

10. Number of jobs eliminated by this project .

11. Will project require relocation of any projects or facilities? Yes No

If yes, explain:

12. Is surface liquid waste disposal involved? Yes No

a. If yes, indicate type of waste (sewage, industrial, etc) and amount

b. Name of water body into which effluent will be discharged

13. Is subsurface liquid waste disposal involved? Yes No Type

14. Will surface area of an existing water body increase or decrease by proposal? Yes No

If yes, explain:

15. Is project or any portion of project located in a 100 year flood plain? Yes No

16.

Will the project generate solid waste? Yes No

a. If yes, what is the amount per month? tons

b. If yes, will an existing solid waste facility be used? Yes No

c. If yes, give name ; location

d. Will any wastes not go into a sewage disposal system or into a sanitary landfill? Yes No

■

N/A

■

N/A

■

N/A

■

N/A

■

Reset

■

N/A

■

N/A

Page 6 of 10

N/A

e. If yes, explain:

17. Will the project involve the disposal of solid waste? Yes No

a. If yes, what is the anticipated rate of disposal? tons/month.

b. If yes, what is the anticipated site life? years.

18. Will project use herbicides or pesticides? Yes No

19. Will project routinely produce odors (more than one hour per day)? Yes No

20. Will project produce operating noise exceeding the local ambient noise levels? Yes No

21.

Will project result in an increase in energy use? Yes No

If yes, indicate type(s)

22.

If water supply is from wells, indicate pumping capacity gallons/minute.

23.

Total anticipated water usage per day gallons/day.

24.

Does project involve Local, State or Federal funding? Yes No

If yes, explain:

N/A

■

N/A

■

Energy use will be reduced by providing a local source of blacktop, reducing the distance this material needs to be hauled to the

job site.

N/A

■

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25. Approvals Required:

Type Submittal Date

City, Town, Village Board Yes No

City, Town, Village Planning Board Yes No

City, Town Zoning Board Yes No

City, County Health Department Yes No

Other Local Agencies Yes No

Other Regional Agencies Yes No

State Agencies Yes No

Federal Agencies Yes No

C. Zoning and Planning Information

1. Does proposed action involve a planning or zoning decision? Yes No

If Yes, indicate decision required:

Zoning amendment Zoning variance New/revision of master plan Subdivision

Site plan Special use permit Resource management plan Other

■

Site Plan Review/SUP

2/11

■

DEC Air Permit

N/A

■

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DEC Stormwater MSGP

2/11

Page 8 of 10

2. What is the zoning classification(s) of the site?

3. What is the maximum potential development of the site if developed as permitted by the present zoning?

4. What is the proposed zoning of the site?

5. What is the maximum potential development of the site if developed as permitted by the proposed zoning?

6. Is the proposed action consistent with the recommended uses in adopted local land use plans? Yes No

7. What are the predominant land use(s) and zoning classifications within a ¼ mile radius of proposed action?

Is the proposed action compatible with adjoining/surrounding land uses with a ¼ mile? Yes No

If the proposed action is the subdivision of land, how many lots are proposed?

a. What is the minimum lot size proposed?

Industrial

Heavy industrial

N/A

■

N/A

Industrial, power plant, cogeneration plant, metal salvage yard, fuel storage and distribution

■

N/A

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10. Will proposed action require any authorization(s) for the formation of sewer or water districts? Yes No

11. Will the proposed action create a demand for any community provided services (recreation, education, police, fire protection?

Yes No

a. If yes, is existing capacity sufficient to handle projected demand? Yes No

12.

Will the proposed action result in the generation of traffic significantly above present levels? Yes No

a. If yes, is the existing road network adequate to handle the additional traffic. Yes No

D. Informational Details

Attach any additional information as may be needed to clarify your project. If there are or may be any adverse impacts

associated with your proposal, please discuss such impacts and the measures which you propose to mitigate or avoid them.

Verification

I certify that the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge.

Applicant/Sponsor Name Date

Signature

Title

If the action is in the Coastal Area, and you are a state agency, complete the Coastal Assessment Form before proceeding with this

assessment.

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The existing community services can readily handle the minimal demands of this project

■

All traffic will use the Stewart Port Expressway which is specifically intended for truck traffic from the Port of Rensselaer.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC

2/3/11

Principal Geologist, Consultant representing applicant

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VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DATED MAY 2011

NOTE: ALL OVERSIZED DRAWINGS ARE IN SEPARATE FILE

Griggs-Lang Consulting Geologists, Inc.

8 Brunswick Road Troy, New York 12180

Phone: (518) 270-5920 Fax: (518) 270-5922

NEW CASTLE ASPHALT, LLC

Rensselaer (Riverside Avenue) Plant

Port of Rensselaer, City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County, New

York

APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND

OPERATION OF BLACKTOP PLANT:

VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Prepared by: Griggs-Lang Consulting Geologists, Inc.

Date: May 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Location ................................................................................................................................ 1

2.2 Existing Conditions............................................................................................................... 1

2.3 Proposed Operations ............................................................................................................. 2

2.3.1 Proposed Access and Traffic Flow ................................................................................ 2

2.3.2 Access Control............................................................................................................... 3

2.3.3 Truck Routes.................................................................................................................. 3

2.3.4 Blacktop Plant Components and Layout ....................................................................... 3

2.3.5 Stockpile Area ............................................................................................................... 4

2.3.6 Stormwater Management Area...................................................................................... 5

2.3.7 Parking........................................................................................................................... 5

2.3.8 Lighting.......................................................................................................................... 5

2.3.9 Truck Loading Areas ..................................................................................................... 5

2.3.10 Equipment Operation................................................................................................... 5

3.0 METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Literature Review.................................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Initial Assessment of Viewshed............................................................................................ 6

3.3 Development of Computerized Model and Viewshed Analysis ........................................... 6

3.4 Balloon Test and Field Reconnaissance................................................................................ 6

3.5 Line of Sight Sections........................................................................................................... 6

4.0 STUDY AREA.......................................................................................................................... 7

5.0 POTENTIAL RECEPTORS ..................................................................................................... 7

5.1 Inventory of Aesthetic Resources ......................................................................................... 7

5.1.1 Literature and Website Research ................................................................................... 8

6.0 ANALYSIS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT ........................................................................... 8

6.1 Impact Assessment................................................................................................................ 8

6.1.1 Proposed City Boat Launch (Comprehensive Plan) ...................................................... 9

6.1.2 Water Filtration Plant on Riverside Avenue................................................................ 10

6.1.3 Fort Crailo Park ........................................................................................................... 11

6.1.4 Sidewalk in Front of Fort Crailo.................................................................................. 12

6.1.5 Front Yard of 383 Route 9J ......................................................................................... 13

6.1.6 Stilsing Electric on Route 9J........................................................................................ 14

6.1.7 Near Riverview Terrace, Rensselaer ........................................................................... 15

6.1.8 53 Hillview Avenue, Rensselaer.................................................................................. 16

6.1.9 42 Ridge Road, Rensselaer .......................................................................................... 18

6.1.10 SUNY Albany East, Rensselaer................................................................................. 19

6.1.11 3

and Catherine Streets, Rensselaer......................................................................... 20

6.1.12 Overlook on Empire State Plaza................................................................................ 21

6.1.13 22 Liebel Street, Albany............................................................................................ 22

6.1.14 Albany Community Charter School, Leonard Street................................................. 23

6.1.15 Nutgrove Apartments, Albany................................................................................... 24

6.1.16 Kenwood Convent, Albany........................................................................................ 25

6.1.17 Island Creek Park, Albany......................................................................................... 26

Appendix

Visual Base Map dated April 22, 2011

Line of Sight Sections dated April 22, 2011 (two sheets)

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant: Visual Impact Assessment, May 2011

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The following Visual Impact Assessment is for the proposed construction and operation of a

blacktop mixing plant by New Castle Asphalt LLC in the Port of Rensselaer. This Visual Study

supplements the initial application to the City of Rensselaer Planning Commission.

This report assesses the potential visual impacts of the proposed blacktop plant by:

 Identifying national, statewide and local aesthetic resources potentially within the

viewshed of the project area;

 Determining the potential visual impact of the project at identified aesthetic resources and

receptor locations; and

 Proposing mitigation measures as needed to mitigate any potential visual impacts to the

maximum extent practicable.

The Visual Impact Assessment was prepared in accordance with and uses standard assessment

methodologies as described in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

(NYSDEC) Visual Policy.

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Location

The site is located on the west and north side of Riverside Drive, just northwest of the western

end of the Irwin Stewart Port Expressway. The location and surrounding area is shown on the

Visual Base Map in the Appendix.

2.2 Existing Conditions

The site is accessed from U.S. Route 20 via the Port Expressway.

The site is located in the City of Rensselaer Industrial Zoning District and is in the active Port of

Rensselaer. The site is surrounded by existing heavy industrial activities including but not limited

to:

 The Besicorp-Empire Power Generation Plant (to the northeast and east);

 The Fulton Cogeneration Associates Power Cogeneration Plant (to the north)

 A large-scale scrap-metal crusher and export operation (to the northwest); and

 Several active petroleum bulk storage and distribution facilities (to the south), the

closest being the Getty Terminal Facility (see map on page 2) and Polsinello Fuels.

In addition, the land west of the site (across and on the west side of the Hudson River) is occupied

by a variety of heavy industrial activities in the Port of Albany.

The site is well suited for the proposed project. The proposed 400 ton per hour blacktop mixing

plant will assimilate well into the surrounding heavy industrial activities and will not cause any

significant contrast to the industrial character of the zoning district. All potentially sensitive

receptors are separated from this site by intervening heavy industrial activity. The distances

between the nearest potential receptors are:

 Ft. Crailo—approximately 3700 feet north of site

 Ball Field—approximately 3300 feet north of site

 Educational facility—SUNY facility on US Route 20—approximately 2600 feet

 Nearest residential area to the north—approximately 3300 feet

 Nearest residence in primarily commercial area east of site—approximately 1400 feet

 Nearest residential area—approximately 1800 feet east of site.

New Castle Asphalt, LLC Rensselaer Plant: Visual Impact Assessment, May 2011

2.3.2 Access Control

Access to the site will be controlled by perimeter berms and the gates on the entrance

road/perimeter access road, as shown on the Site Plan Map (Proposed Conditions). The gates’

typical construction is shown on the Details Sheets in the Site Plan Application.

2.3.3 Truck Routes

Employee vehicles and most delivery trucks will travel south and west on Riverside Avenue to

the Port Expressway to access the site. The nearest liquid asphalt distributor is Gorman Brothers,

located further south of the site in the Port of Rensselaer, so it is expected that liquid asphalt

deliveries will come via Riverside Avenue from the south.

Trucks leaving the Port of Rensselaer from this site will use NYS Route 9J and US Route 20.

The potential impact of project generated traffic is assessed in the Traffic Study prepared by

Creighton Manning Engineers. No significant impact is expected since the trucks will use

designated truck routes designed to carry truck traffic before exiting onto state or federal

highways intended for truck traffic.

2.3.4 Blacktop Plant Components and Layout

The proposed blacktop plant will be a drum mix plant. Drum mix plants produce one type of

blacktop at a time in a continuous feed as compared to batch plants that can make a different

batch of blacktop for each “batch”. Drum mix plants are becoming more common than batch

plants because they are more efficient, employ superior emission control technology and produce

a generally more uniform and higher quality product.

The blacktop plant consists of various components, all necessary for its efficient operation. These

components are:

 Cold feed bins—Aggregates at ambient temperatures (hence the term “cold”) are

loaded into these bins, metered out through the bottom onto a conveyor that delivers

the aggregates to the drum. A screen removes potential clumps in the aggregate

before it enters the drum.

 RAP bins—RAP is loaded into bins, crushed to size in a single pass, metered out

through the bottom onto a conveyor that delivers the aggregates to the drum. The

RAP is fed into the drum mixing zone as a means of controlling blue smoke. A

screen removes potential clumps in the RAP before it enters the drum.

 Drum—The drum is a near horizontally oriented cylinder that slowly rotates.

Aggregates are fed into the drum and heated by a low NO

emissions burner which

dries the aggregates and heats them to the temperature of the liquid asphalt,

promoting better adhesion and a more durable blacktop. The drum uses counterflow

technology which means the aggregate moves in the opposite direction of the heat

from the burner. Aggregate moves through the center of the drum and is heated

while the RAP is introduced into an isolated mixing chamber behind the burner.

Flights inside the drum keep the RAP flowing along the exterior of the drum where it

is subject to less heat. These technologies eliminate odors and blue smoke. Liquid

asphalt is metered into the drum in the mixing area before the aggregate/RAP/liquid

asphalt mixture is removed from the drum via hot mix conveyor to the hot storage

silos and discharge area.

 Hot Storage Silos/Discharge Area—Trucks pull onto one of the two scales under the

silos and discharge area to be loaded. The appropriate mix is dropped via chute into

the waiting truck. When full, the truck pulls out, trims, picks up a ticket at the

control room, covers the blacktop at the truck rack and leaves the site. Since a drum

plant produces one mix at a time, the hot storage silos serve the purpose of holding