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08/23/96 Baker/Kalispell Athletic ComplexTo: Ted Giesey, D' From: Michael Baker Subject: Kalispell A Date: August 23, Parks & Rec. Complex COG, PY After reviewing to environmental assessment for the Athletic Complex, I am forwarding my comments for I r consideration. Ted, I believe we need to insert into the "No Action" alternative, the amount of the existing annual lease, along with the projected trust income for the alternative use. Those figures need to be available for the September 4 meeting. Item No. 2. Water Quality, Quantity and Distribution: I have recently sent a letter of inquiry off regarding joint use of the DOT's detention pond located on site. Status: Awaiting determination from DOT. Item No. 5. Terrestrial, Avian and Aquatic Life and Habitats: Presently the area serves strictly as a wandering area and provides no habitat or security for wildlife and birds. The design will incorporate a buffer or windbreak, possibly of Russian Olives and pines. The internal design will include numerous landscaping amenities (examples - trees, shrubs), which in turn provides for security, food, and habitat of wildlife, birds, and other small mammals. Item No. 8. Aesthetics: Soccer runs from mid -August through October of each year, along with a spring select season (probably April and May), Item No. 15. Demand for Government Services: DNRC has requested the City develop a 1/3mfle of Four Mile Drive by extending it West to the Stillwater Road, if traffic problems materialize. This will be determined on an "as needed basis," and clarified by the consultant traffic engineer in his recommendation on traffic issues in the initial design. Baseball minors and majors approximate game length - two hours. Continued --a Ted Giesey Page 2 August 23, 1996 I feel you have done an exceptional job describing the projects and the impacts. If you have any questions, give me a call. Sincerely, iNfichazi Baker, C.L.P. Director of Parks & Recreation TVIB/d1w cc: Larry Gallagher, with enclosures CHECKLIST EA page 1 Project Name Kalispell Community Yonth Athletic Complex Proposed Implementation Date: Eall, 1996 Proponent Kalispell City Council Type and Purpose of Action: The City of Kalispell propose,% a 40 year least- of approximately 14-1 acres for %I communi complex. These lands• • .a 1hr Agricultureto Clinton e •gswiler- DNRC has not received otber concrete ling proposafig for thig -,ite to evaluate. The :.:• in this proposed .,. R • by the State of u., :•a in tnist ••s :•. • • •.a e• - a =Mrtro Me., '*N Me M-51WHRMUZIFW11 of of I .a Location •a 36,'► R22W County FInthead N = Not present or No Impact will occur Y = Impacts may occur (explain under Potential Impacts) RAPACTS ON THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT RESOURCE [Y/NJ POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 1. GEOLOGY AND SOIL QUALITY, STABILITY AND [ N ] MOISTURE: Are fragile, compactible or unstable soils present? Are there unusual geologic features? Are there special reclamation considerations? 2. WATER QUALITY, QUANTITY AND DISTRIBUTION: [ N ] Runoff water from the athletic complex is a concern. The paved parking areas, Are important surface or groundwater resources present? Is there trails and roads are well distributed throughout the site with the majority of the area in potential for violation of ambient water quality standards, drinking green space (see attached site plan). The City of Kalispell's consultant will complete a water maximum contaminent levels, or degradation of water soil analysis and percolation tests. Plans and provisions will be initiated to quality? accommodate storm runoff either on -site or pipe it off -site. The Montana Department of Transportation's Detention Basin could be utilized through a written use agreement. The City's athletic complex engineer will develop a site plan to accommodate the natural drainage patterns of runoff. Infrastructure (city sewer and water, power, roads, etc.) will be installed initially. There will be restrooms for each sport (soccer, softball, major and minor Pee Wee and Babe Ruth baseball). 3. AIR QUALITY: Will pollutants or particulate be produced? [ Y ] This area is influenced by air quality regulations. Since the project area is in a Is the project influenced by air quality regulations or zones (Class "non -attainment status" regarding air particulate levels, dust is an issue. The City's site I airshed)? plan calls for paving all roads, some trails and all parking areas (1,100 parking spaces constructed initially, will 450 more in the future expansion). The remainder of the trails would be treated (may utilize wood chips, etc. to reduce the dust). One particular concern raised by the public was the dust created from dragging the infields. The City's plan calls for placing a "field treatment material" (conditioner) on all the infields. This is a "dust -free" material and is absorbent - it can handle up to '/z" of rain and still provide a playable surface. Each 70' X 70' infield (or 90' X 90' for Babe Ruth) will be covered by a 2" thick layer. Since the 143 acres are presently farmed (i.e., the ground broken up, a seedbed prepared and a crop planted and then harvested in the fall, this proposed use will likely reduce the amount of dust particulate introduced into the air. A minor source of dust will be created by the vehicle traffic and the pedestrians on the athletic complex site. 4. VEGETATION COVER, QUANTITY AND QUALITY: Will [ Y ] The vegetative cover on the site will be changed from agricultural cereal grain vegetative communities be permanently altered? Are any rare crops (planted and harvested yearly) to a "park -like" atmosphere composed of grass plants or cover types present? vegetation with trees planted around the playing fields and on top of the perimeter berms adjacent to 4-Mile Drive and U.S. Highway 93. Approximately 11/2 acres will CHECKLIST EA page 2 DAPACTS ON THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT RESOURCE (YN POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 5. TERRESTRIAL, AVIAN AND AQUATIC LIFE AND [ Y ] There is use of the area by wildlife and birds. DNRC employees and neighbors HABITATS: Is there use of the area by important wildlife, birds have all witnessed use by deer, coyotes, foxes and other small mammals. Some of or fish? these wildlife species may be displaced by the athletic complex. b. UNIQUE, ENDANGERED, FRAGILE OR LIMITED [ N ] Threatened bald eagles occasionally fly over this area. There are no eagle ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES: Are any/ federally listed feeding opportunities here - except for the occasional ground squirrel. The closest bald threatened or endangered species or identified habitat present? eagle nests are at Ashley and Tally Lakes. Bald eagles are not an issue because: 1) this Any wetlands? Species of special concern? area does not provide important foraging, roosting or potential nesting sites, and 2) the athletic complex is not within the home ranee of an eagle nest. 7. HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: Are any [ Y ] A historical landmark, the Spring Prairie Tree is present on the project site. The historical, archaeological or paleontological resources present? Tobacco Plains Trail passed near this historic ponderosa pine tree. This trail was used for hundreds of years by the Kootenai Indians on their way to the Eastern Montana plains by way of Hellgate Pass east of Missoula, Montana. Few white men had been into this area until the discovery of gold on Gold Creek near present day Fort Steele, British Columbia in 1884. At that time, folks could get as far as Ravalli on the Northern Pacific Railroad and then travel on foot or horseback the rest of the way to Gold Creek using trails around both sides of Flathead Lake, with a few hardy souls making the lake trip by boat or canoe, debarking at what is now Somers. With the advent of the steam powered boats, it was possible to come up the river as far as Demersville, and take the trail from there. In 1893, a three man board wrote up suggestions to the county commission to make a road which generally followed the old trail. The road was considered necessary because of the considerable amount of traffic from Kalispell to the Tobacco Plains area, as Kalispell was the county seat until Lincoln County was formed in 1910. The road was built in 1895 and Spring Prairie was one of the first stops to water the horses. (Recent agricultural operations have obscured this intermittent stream drainage). While the horses were watering and resting, the people would gather at the base of this big tree for lunch or a rest. This continued until the moving of the railroad in 1901 when the trail or as it was then called, "the Fort Steele Road", was gradually abandoned. The City plans to protect this landmark pine. They will erect a protective barrier to keep children from climbing the tree. The City will solicit the local historical society to develop an interpretive sign to share this historical record of events. The tree is located near a pedestrianibicycle path and adjacent to a picnic and park area to enhance it. 8. AESTHETICS: Is the project on a prominent topographic [ Y ] The athletic complex will be visible from the North Haven and Sunrise View feature? Will it be visible from populated or scenic areas? Will Estates subdivisions and other adjacent neighbors. Concerns regarding noise and lights there be excessive noise or light? are relevant issues. The City plans to mitigate the noise by constructing an earth mound/berm eight to ten feet high on the athletic complex perimeters adjacent to both U.S. Highway 93 and 4-Mile Drive. In addition, this berm will be planted with native species eight to ten feet in height that will grow to be thirty to fifty feet tall. There will be native windbreak species with evergreen trees planted behind them. The vegetation is intended to absorb noise and screen the athletic complex from the view of the homes situated lower down the hill. Homes situated higher on the hill will still look into the athletic complex. Public Address (PA) systems are not used for normal baseball/softball league play. PA systems will only be utilized at this complex for state and regional tournaments. No PA systems are used for soccer. One should not experience "horn honking" by spectators, since they will leave their vehicles in parking areas and walk to the various ball field bleachers to view the games. Baseball events are scheduled in April, May, June and July. Soccer runs from mid- CHECKLIST EA page 3 LWACTS ON THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMEN RESOURCE 7YINJ POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 8. AESTHETICS: Is the project on a prominent topographic Under the present agriculture cropping use, you have stubble field present after harvest feature? Will it be visible from populated or scenic areas? Will up until fall or spring seeding. We believe this athletic complex will complement the there be excessive noise or light? adjacent neighborhoods by providing green space and park, picnic and playground areas. Playgrounds will be similar to Woodland Park. This development may even enhance surrounding property values. Only the Babe Ruth fields situated at the extreme north end of the complex will be lighted. This is situated roughly 2,000 feet from 4-Mile Drive. Specially designed lighting will be utilized on the Babe Ruth fields which direct the light down onto the playing field with minimal glare, to reduce off -site lighting spill. However, this new source of light (compared to the present agricultural use) could entail a minor lifestyle change for adjacent neighbors. Athletic complex hours of operation was a concern of local neighbors. The park/picnic areas open at 7:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM. Organized play for softball, baseball and soccer is: Weekdays - 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (normally) Weekends - Saturday (tournaments only) Sunday (occasional use) All uses stop at 10:00 PM. 9. DEMANDS ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES OF [ N ] LAND, WATER, AIR OR ENERGY: Will the project use resources that are limited in the area? Are there other activities nearbv that will affect the ro'ect? 10.]MPACTS ON OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES: [ N ] Are there other studies, plans or oro'ects on this tract? ACTS ON THE ERMAN POPULATION RESOURCE [Y/Nl POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 11. HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY: Will this project add to [ Y ] Traffic concerns will be addressed under Item #15. Pedestrians crossing U.S. health and safety risks in the area? Highway 93 to access the athletic complex will utilize the traffic light. A separate bicycle entry path from the sidewalk to the athletic complex will be constructed. A chain link fence (six feet high) will be erected along 4-Mile Drive, around the entire DNRC Complex, and adjacent to the soccer field for'/a + mile. The fences are intended to provide for child safety and facility security. 12. INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL [ Y ] The community and DNRC would lose the present agricultural production of ACTIVITIES AND PRODUCTION: Will the project add to or cereal grains from our present lessee (Clinton Grosswiler) on this 143 acre tract. It alter these activities? produces approximately 50 bushels of wheat per acre. This present Agriculture Lease is a safe, low performing trust asset. With only a little more risk, DNRC can diversify it's Trust Management portfolio and can increase our trust returns (see Item #21 for a discussion of economic information). 13, QUANTITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYMENT: [ Y ] This athletic complex will create short-term employment during the construction Will the project create, move or eliminate jobs? If so, estimate phases. Once it is in operation, the city workforce would consist of one full-time number. person and 3 to 4 seasonals for operation and maintenance. 14. LOCAL AND STATE TAX BASE AND TAX REVENUES: [ N ] Will the proiect create or eliminate tax revenue? CHECKLIST EA page 4 VAPACTS ON THE HUMAN POPULATION RESOURCE POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 15. DEMAND FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Will traffic [ Y ] This proposal would require the city to bring the sewer and water systems from be added to existing roads? Will other services (fire protection, Grand View Drive to the various athletic complex sites. Since all developers are police, schools, etc) be needed? required to run the sewer to the opposite ends of the property being developed, opportunities exist for both DNRC and adjacent subdivisions to hook-up to city services. There may be a minor increase in demand for city police services (routine patrols, complaints, etc.) for security because of the size of the athletic complex (the police currently patrol the existing ball field and these activities would move to this location). In addition to the routine police patrols mentioned, park maintenance personnel are on - site and provide security. Also, private security businesses could be called upon for back-up should the need arise. Traffic will dramatically increase on 4-Mile Drive from Monday through Thursday in late spring through fall from 4:00 PM until approximately 9:30 PM. There will be a moderate level of activity from park/picnic/trail use from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM with increased use during state or regional tournaments. On weekends, you will also see some increased traffic due to use of the park and picnic areas, and again for state and regional tournaments. During peak hours of athletic complex operation (4:00 PM to 9:30 PM) the stop light at the junction of U.S. Highway 93 and 4-Mile Drive will likely cycle more frequently to accommodate this increase in traffic flow. 4-Mile Drive will have two ingress/egress points to enter the athletic complex. This allows for stacking of approximately 52 cars from U.S. Highway 93 to the first entrance/exit and another 52 cars (or 1,050 feet) to the second entrance/exit. DNRC is requiring the City to pave 4-Mile Drive to the second entrance/exit. DNRC has requested the City develop 'A mile of 4-Mile Drive by extending it to connect with _ s Stillwater Road to further relieve conjestion if traffic problems materialize.. Traffic P heading west of Kalispell would likely use this route. I need to point out these athletic events are not like a football game which releases all spectators at one time. Likely game duration follows: Soccer - 1 hour T-Ball - 1 hour plus Softball - 1 hour & 20 minutes fi< -- Baseball - i hour & 30 minutes Babe Ruth - 21A - 3 hours. 16. LOCALLY ADOPTED ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS AND ( Y ] Under the Flathead County Zoning Regulations, this tract is zoned as GOALS: Are there State, County, City, USFS, BLM, Tribal, Agricultural-80. This designation (to preserve agricultural land) fits the proposed etc., zoning or management plans in effect? youth athletic complex since it is a low -impact recreational facility with interspersed parkland. 17. ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF RECREATIONAL AND [ Y ] The maximum recreational potential of this tract would be realized by the WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES: Are wilderness or recreational construction of a community athletic complex. This would be the premier athletic areas nearby or accessed through this tract? Is there recreational facility in Montana, comparable to only a few others in the Northwestern United States. potential within the tract? 18. DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION AND [ N ] HOUSING: Will the project add to the population and require additional housing? 19. SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND MORES: Is some disruption [ Y ] This athletic complex could alter the existing lifestyles of adjacent neighbors. If of native or traditional lifestyles or communities possible? the Action alternative is chosen, the tract would go from an agricultural/rural atmosphere to one of parkland and intensive recreational activities. However, as Managers of School Trust funds, DNRC is mandated to secure the largest dollar returns. Recently, there have been serious inquiries on this site for: 1) developing a gravel pit, 2) for the NW Montana Fairgrounds, 3) for a Flathead County High School, and 4) for an elementary school (West Valley School District). Of these recent inquiries, this athletic complex appears to be the least disruptive and most appealing to the adiacent subdivisions. 20. CULTURAL UNIQUENESS AND DIVERSITY: Will the [ N ] action cause a shift in some unique quality of the area? 21. OTHER APPROPRIATE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC [ Y ] Jeanne Fairbanks to provide this section. CIRCUMSTANCES: CHECKLIST EA page 5 22. Alternatives Considered: No Action - continue the present Agricultural Lease with Clinton Grosswiler. Action Alternative - City of Kalispell's proposed Community Athletic Complex. NWLO considered one other Action alternative, but, dismissed it. This Action alternative consisted of completing a Master Plan for the entire 620 acres in Section 36, T29N, R22W. Plan components to include: highest and best use(s); economic analysis; zoning; natural resources (soil, water, wildlife, etc.); availability of city sewer, water and natural gas; existing westland; capped water well; highway corridor (commercial highway frontage values); to retain or lease, exchange or sell, etc. There were no contracting dollars available to bid this plan out for completion. No DNRC personnel were available to complete this comprehensive master plan undertaking. This Master Plan proposal had been recommended and not funded in FY 1990). Given existing DNRC priority projects, only scarce personnel time and dollars were allocated to review the City's ballfield proposal. 23. Public Involvement, Agencies, Groups or Individuals contacted: Two public information meetings were held (June 19, 1996 and September 4, 1996. Meeting notices were carried in the Daily Inter Lake. Letters were sent to adjacent landowners. 24. Other Governmental Agencies with Jurisdiction, List of Permits Needed: Flathead County (zoning regulations). No permit needed. Name Title Date 25. Alternative selected: Action Alternative - City of Kalispell's Community Athletic Complex. 26. Magnitude and Significance of Potential Impacts: In my opinion, the Action alternative as proposed by the City of Kalispell best meets DNRC's mission of generating the largest reasonable return over the long run for Montana's School Trusts. The Action alternative complies with all pertinent environmental laws, DNRC policies, standards and guidelines and a consensus of professional opinion on limits of acceptable environmental impact. All resource management concerns and issues identified have been addressed. Specific mitigation measures for each resource or issue are listed as stipulations in the lease. Since this is a 40-yeas lease, the development of an athletic complex does not eliminate other as yet unidentified revenue generating opportunities on this tract in the future. While the No Action (agriculture) alternative provides revenue to the School Trust, it is less than the full market value DNRC would receive from the City of Kalispell's Athletic Complex proposal. It is clear to me that if DNRC accepted compensation for the use of school trust land which was less than full market value (No Action alternative), DNRC would be in breach of our statutory mission. For the above reasons, I have decided to select the Athletic Complex alternative for implementation. I find there will be no significant impact on the natural and human environment as a result of implementation. Specific project design features, resource management specialist's and consultants' recommendations and design standards have been incorporated to ensure that in DNRC's professional opinion, the project will fall within the limits of acceptable environmental change and result in no significant effects. Recommendation for Further Environmental Analysis: [ ] EIS [ ] More Detailed EA [ x ] No Further Analysis EADecisionBy: Clive Rooney, S:pecial Uses Burenu Chief, Tnist Lsnd M2nagernent Division Name Title September •'4 Signature SENT BY: 8-13-96 : 8:01 : CITY OF K�L.ISP— L- 4067527993:41 2/ 3 t ? c { Incorporated 1892 '7elophoric (406) 758 7700 FAA'406) 758-7758 rust r)frirP Rox 1997 Kalispell, ,Mortana 7ip .5990:5-1997 To® Mr. Ted Geisey From_ Michael M. Baker, CLP, Direc arks and Recreation Date- August 14, 1996 Re.: Environmental Assessment Concerns on Youth Athletic Complex The following will address the environmental assessment impacts you have outlined at our meeting in early August. Noise - P.A. systems, crowd noise. In an attempt to dampen the noise from the complex, a dirt mound `Bill be constructed on the south edge of the property along Four Mile Drive. Placed on top will be a wind row of landscape material providing a dense cover and screen. P.A. systems will not be used for everyday league play, only for tournament championship games. The speakers are directed to the bleacher area and won't'be radiating at random. Air Quality/Dust - All road ways and parking areas are to be paved with asphalt. Infields make up only a small part of exposed dirt. The infields will be covered with a dust resistant covering made for baseball infields. Lightiag -- At this time plans are only to have one lighted field at the very north end of.the complex, approximately 2,000 feet from Four Mile Drive. Runoff ---Water - Currently inquiring with Department .of Transportation for a joint use permit of the drainage pond if the site requires additional drainage considerations. Traffic/Parking -- To be addressed by a traffic engineer. Parking will be based on standards and guidelines for athletic facilities. Presently, 1,100 parking spaces are included in. the conceptual plan. 1)put;136 hauthe Mayor AI Thclf,n InrPrim Ofv Mandgtr City Council .N,t=mhors: Gary W. hystul Ward I Cliil Collins Ward I Nurbcrt 1'. Dunnhuc Ward II tale Hiarr Ward II lim Atkinson Wind III I- itimn Grammi Ward III Kimela li. Konnedv ward IV N1, I)LjanN I arson W,1rd IV �ENT BY 8-15-96 8: 02 CITY OF KALISP"L- 4067527993;" 3/ 3 Mr. Ted Geisey Page 2 August 14, 1996 Landscapi-ag - Each field will have a landscape buffer built into the design for sight and sound softening. Perimeter fencing along Highway 93 with extensive landscaping along Four Mile Drive. As the project develops and the consultant/engineer is selected, I would anticipate a more definitive answer to the E.A. impacts. if I can shed additional light on any of the issues, please feel free to give me a call. I I / 0 I I -------��------- -- - -------------- L------------------ ---, -� , // _ I ! wr Dwt of � I i NaarJW i I i I I i�Onai A�,5.5 Acrm 11--------- i MA N1t NANCG6/9NOP $ j "' 1 N51- I Ill I P I GN i C 4 ..�d k,.,-.... O l i y t y I o. PARK 'AK6A' r......c CS p. fj n }- a ma I U o MAJORS':. 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