Environmental Science Simulation

Site Description

Proposed Development: TechVista Data Solutions plans to construct a 250,000 sq ft data center on a 45-acre site in Clackamas County, Oregon. The facility will require significant water usage for cooling systems (2.5 million gallons/day from Willamette River) and construction of a 1.2-mile access road connecting to Highway 99E.

Current Land Use:

• 30 acres: Grassland/former agricultural (inactive 8 years)
• 10 acres: Mixed deciduous forest (oak-maple-alder)
• 5 acres: Seasonal wetland (wet Oct-Apr, dry May-Sep)

Proximity to Protected Areas:

• Blue Heron Wetland Preserve: 200m south (120-acre protected wetland complex)
• Willamette River: 0.8 miles west (water source + salmon habitat)
• Mt. Talbert Nature Park: 1.2 miles northeast (state park, old-growth forest)

Water Quality Data (Baseline)

Parameter	Measured Value	EPA Standard	Status
pH	7.2	6.5-8.5	Within Range
Dissolved Oxygen	8.4 mg/L	> 6.5 mg/L	Good
Total Suspended Solids	12 mg/L	< 25 mg/L	Good
Nitrates (NO3-N)	1.8 mg/L	< 10 mg/L	Good
Phosphates (PO4-P)	0.08 mg/L	< 0.1 mg/L	Good
Turbidity	4.2 NTU	< 5 NTU	Good

Note: Data collected from seasonal wetland and drainage channels over 12-month period (Oct 2024 - Sep 2025).

Wildlife & Habitat Survey Results

Species	Observations	Status	Habitat Use
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)	Migration route in adjacent creek	Threatened (ESA)	Spawning habitat 0.5 mi downstream
Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)	Nest site 400m north in forest	Threatened (ESA)	Foraging in mixed forest on site
Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa)	Breeding observed in seasonal wetland	Threatened (ESA)	Permanent resident, breeds Mar-Apr
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	Colony 200m south in preserve	Not listed	Foraging in wetland
Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)	12 individuals in wetland	Sensitive species	Nesting on south-facing slopes
Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis)	Tracks/scat in grassland	Not listed	Occasional foraging

Soil & Geology Data

Soil Types:

• Willamette Silt Loam (20 acres): Well-drained, moderate permeability, suitable for construction
• Wapato Silty Clay Loam (15 acres): Poorly drained, high water table, requires engineered foundations
• Chehalis Silty Clay Loam (10 acres): Seasonally saturated, flood-prone, not suitable for development

Hydrologic Features:

• Groundwater depth: 3-8 feet below surface (seasonal variation)
• Surface drainage: Northeast to southwest toward seasonal creek
• 100-year floodplain: Covers 8 acres in southwest corner
• Wetland delineation: 5 acres qualify as jurisdictional wetlands under Clean Water Act

Air Quality Baseline

Pollutant	Current Level	NAAQS Standard	Status
PM2.5 (24-hr avg)	18 μg/m³	< 35 μg/m³	Good
PM10 (24-hr avg)	42 μg/m³	< 150 μg/m³	Good
Ozone (8-hr avg)	0.062 ppm	< 0.070 ppm	Good
NO2 (annual avg)	28 ppb	< 53 ppb	Good

NAAQS = National Ambient Air Quality Standards (EPA)

Proposed Project Details

Construction Phase (18 months):

• Site grading: 25 acres (removal of vegetation, soil compaction)
• Foundation excavation: 300,000 cubic yards of soil
• Access road: 1.2 miles, 24-foot width, asphalt paving
• Stormwater retention pond: 2 acres, 8-foot depth
• Utility connections: 0.8-mile water pipeline from Willamette River
• Peak construction workforce: 450 workers, 80 heavy vehicles/day

Operational Phase:

• Water usage: 2.5 million gallons/day for cooling towers (returns 95% to river at +8°F)
• Power consumption: 48 MW (from regional grid, 35% renewable)
• Wastewater discharge: 125,000 gallons/day (treated to secondary standards)
• Diesel generators: 12 backup generators (tested monthly, 2 hours/test)
• Employment: 85 full-time staff, 150 vehicles/day

Regulatory Requirements

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act):

• Requires Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Must evaluate direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
• Public comment period required (30-45 days)
• Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) OR full EIS required

Clean Water Act (Section 404):

• Permit required for discharge to waters of the U.S.
• Mitigation required for wetland impacts (1:1 or 2:1 ratio)
• Stormwater management plan (NPDES permit)

Endangered Species Act:

• Section 7 consultation with USFWS for threatened species
• Biological Assessment required (impacts to coho salmon, spotted owl, spotted frog)
• Incidental Take Permit may be required
• Critical habitat designation must be considered

Significance Thresholds (EPA Guidance)

Impact Magnitude Classification:

• Negligible: Barely measurable, no mitigation needed
• Minor: Detectable but small, standard mitigation sufficient
• Moderate: Clearly measurable, requires targeted mitigation
• Major: Substantial change, extensive mitigation required, may preclude project

Significant Impact Criteria (triggers EIS):

• Impacts to threatened/endangered species habitat
• Discharge to impaired water bodies
• Loss of >1 acre jurisdictional wetlands
• Air emissions exceeding 250 tons/year (major source)
• Public controversy or high stakeholder concern