West Orange_Additional Environmental Info_82924

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 6 New plantings, including tree replacements and other landscaping, will include evergreen tree species selected to provide year-round screening and texture and deciduous and ornamental tree species to supplement the existing deciduous tree cover. The proposed stormwater basins, required in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:8, will be vegetated with a low maintenance retention basin seed mix, including pollinator friendly species and shrub species to provide basin structure. Therefore, PSE&G complies with the recently- enacted tree ordinance. 4.8 Disruption of wildlife habitats A review of the NJ-GeoWeb Landscape Project 3.3 dataset suggests that the site does not contain any known presence of threatened or endangered species or their habitat. The vegetated areas are anticipated to provide habitat for certain common wildlife species that are well adapted to disturbed and suburban environments. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), groundhogs (Marmota monax), various songbirds, and other suburban-adapted species may be seasonally present on the site and may experience temporary displacement to nearby suburban areas during construction activities. Following construction and during the operational phase of the station yard, the vegetated portions of the site and newly landscaped areas, including the vegetated stormwater retention basins, will continue to provide habitat for common wildlife species that are adapted to human disturbance. 4.9 Destruction of scenic and historic features The Station is a man-made feature and is not included on the New Jersey or National Historic Register for Essex County. The condition of the existing Station fence was an issue in Zoning Board of Adjustment site plan/variance applications in 1992, 1997 and 2007. The deteriorating condition of the fence was noted in a customer complaint on July 12, 2022. 4.10 Air quality degradation As the Station does not generate electricity, there will be no impact on air quality during its operation. During the construction phase, emissions will occur from construction equipment and trucks hauling materials and equipment. Operators will be directed to turn off motors while the vehicles and equipment are not in use.