West Orange_Additional Environmental Info_82924

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 5 4.2 Flooding and floodplain disruption The Station is not located in a floodplain area. No impacts to flooding or floodplain disruption are anticipated. 4.3 Degradation of surface water quality No surface water bodies are present at the Station. Additionally, a soil erosion and sediment control plan will be implemented during construction, and therefore no degradation of water quality is anticipated. 4.4 Groundwater pollution Any electric equipment that contains insulating oil is equipped with oil containment systems. The Station has a spill prevention and countermeasure plan to prevent any groundwater pollution. 4.5 Sewage disposal There is no proposed increase in the number of bathrooms/toilets present on site. There are existing bathrooms in the control house. The 26kV yard will continue to be unmanned, with visits by approximately one (1) to two (2) maintenance vehicles biweekly. Therefore, no impacts on sewage disposal will occur as a result of the proposed project. 4.6 Solid waste disposal During construction, solid waste and construction debris will be managed in accordance with USEPA and NJDEP requirements. There will be no increase in solid waste disposal during the operation of the proposed 26kV yard. 4.7 Destruction of vegetation Upgrades to the station and replacement of the existing fence will result in the removal of 136 viable trees and 14 non-viable trees. PSE&G had originally proposed the replacement of 170 trees, which exceeded the required 167 trees required to be replaced in conformance with the tree ordinance that was in effect at the time of submission (May 15, 2024) and which governs PSE&G’s current application. As an updated ordinance was subsequently adopted as of June 10, 2024, the Landscaping Plan has been voluntarily updated to increase the total number of replacement trees to 317, 34 trees short of the required 351 trees. PSE&G will contribute to a Township Tree Fund for the remaining 34 trees. Tree plantings have been maximized given the amount of space available on the site, and PSE&G proposes to work with the Town Forester for additional considerations as a condition for approval.