Secondary and Cumulative Impacts Master Management Plan - 2014

SECTON 6 – MITIGATION FOR SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Durham with the Towns of Cary, Morrisville, and RTP. The project explored and analyzed regional growth scenarios for associated trade-offs and impacts on the transportation network. The recommendations in these plans for appropriate sizing of roads are incorporated into the State’s Transportation Improvement Program (TJCOG, 2013). Triangle Transit also coordinates a ride-sharing program for regional commuters. In September 2012, Wake County released an updated draft of the Wake County Transit Plan, which is pending action from the Wake County Board of Commissioners. The Plan was developed in cooperation with several partners, including CAMPO, Triangle Transit, the RTA, and the City of Raleigh’s Capital Area Transit. The Plan provides a dual approach to meet expanding transportation demands as the County continues to grow: (1) a core transit plan that broadens local and commuter bus service and includes a rush-hour commuter rail service from Garner to Durham; and (2) an enhanced transit plan that includes a regional light rail service (Wake County, 2012). The EIS prepared for the regional light rail project indicates that parking areas to serve the light rail system will not impact levels of carbon monoxide. The EIS also indicates that the light rail system will result in lower levels of vehicle pollutant emissions (USDOT, 2002). NCDOT is also in the process of planning for a southeast high-speed rail service that will connect Washington, D.C., to Charlotte. The project will be developed incrementally based on available funding. NCDOT has used federal stimulus funding to add commuter routes between Charlotte and Raleigh (SEHSR, 2012). Improved alternative transportation options have the potential to improve air quality by reducing traffic congestion. The RTA, founded by the Cary, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Durham, and Raleigh Chambers of Commerce in 1999, serves as a regional business voice for transportation initiatives. Currently, the RTA’s members include more than 100 businesses, two metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), Triangle Transit, and RDU. The Town is an active member of this group, which continues to focus on advancing multi-modal solutions needed to sustain prosperity and enhance quality of life (RTA, 2013). The Triangle Clean Cities Coalition was also founded in 1999, and brings together fleet managers, local and state government officials, fuel and vehicle providers, and interested resident groups, to reduce dependence on petroleum by promoting alternative transportation fuels (TCCC, 2010). In 2009, Wake County appointed a sustainability task force to address conservation and reduction goals for solid waste, water, and energy which are related to improved air quality within the region. The 2011 sustainability task force report identified several strategies and performance measures for each of those goals related to air quality (Wake County, 2011). Further information on this program is included in Appendix B. 6.2.9 Tree Protection Tree protection and planting is addressed in the Town’s UDO, Transportation Plan, and other policies. The Town recognizes that preserving existing healthy vegetation on a site during development enhances the visual character of the community and provides environmental benefits, such as habitat and temperature control. Sections 5.4, 5.12, and 8.1 of the UDO address tree protection and landscaping. Some of the specific provisions of ordinances related to protecting the natural environment include:

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