Environmental Review

Scenic Hudson is seeking the services of an environmental consulting firm to coordinate and produce all necessary materials for the State (State Environmental Quality Review [SEQR]) and Federal (National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA]) environmental review for the Westchester RiverWalk Connection, a high-profile, multi-million-dollar trail connection project in Tarrytown, NY. This includes but is not limited to all environmental review documents, including, if an environmental impact statement is necessary, scoping documents, Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) chapters, and any assessments, including but not limited to, historic/archaeological, hazardous materials, transportation, noise/vibration, environmental justice, and natural resources assessments. The scope also includes any necessary meetings and coordination with the review agencies, both under SEQR and NEPA, and community stakeholders.

Background

Westchester RiverWalk is a planned 51-mile multi-use path along Westchester County's Hudson River shoreline. Currently, about 32 miles of the trail are complete. The incomplete section most urgently in need of construction, and the subject of this RFP, is a 0.9-mile gap under the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (GMMCB) between Green Street and the existing trail at Van Wart Avenue. Scenic Hudson and its partners have completed a Feasibility Study for the Westchester RiverWalk Connection, and conducting the environmental review is the next step.

In addition to the Feasibility Study, 30% design development documents were prepared for the three alternatives that were assessed during the Study. The firm that completed the Feasibility Study for the project and 30% design will be available as a resource during project kick-off, if needed, should technical questions arise.

Scenic Hudson is the project sponsor for the environmental review of the Westchester RiverWalk Connection and has secured a grant from Westchester County to fund the environmental review work. The selected environmental consulting firm will be retained by Scenic Hudson (hereby known as the "Project Sponsor") and managed by the Project Sponsor's Representative, Indigo River Consulting LLC (Indigo River).Scenic Hudson anticipates hiring an environmental consulting firm within the next month to lead the team in all aspects of the SEQR and NEPA processes, including any necessary related studies, field investigations, and associated reports, and coordination with the Lead Agency and other involved and interested agencies under SEQR and NEPA.

Contract Scope: Environmental Review Tasks

The SEQR/NEPA package development shall be led by an environmental consulting firm that has a demonstrated history of completing successful SEQR/NEPA processes. As the Project is anticipated to be a Type I action and may require an EIS, the selected Consultant should be capable of preparing and delivering Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS and FEIS) and related scoping documents. The selected Consultant should also be experienced in coordination with state and federal agencies under SEQR and NEPA.

The Consultant shall be responsible for all services required to complete the scope of environmental review and ensure compliance with SEQR and NEPA. It is anticipated that the documents described in Tasks 1-4 will satisfy both SEQR and NEPA requirements; SEQR and NEPA should not be scoped separately for the purposes of this RFP.

Task 1: Project Kick-off and Scoping

The Consultant shall conduct an environmental review in accordance with the SEQR/NEPA regulations and guidance documents and draft the Purpose and Need documentation. Note that the Environmental Assessment Form is being prepared by Indigo River and will not be a part of this scope.

The Consultant shall manage the environmental review process and prepare all necessary assessments, modeling, analyses, and reports — including but not limited to conducting additional studies that may be required during the SEQR/NEPA review (see Task 5).

The Consultant shall confirm and document existing conditions of adjacent properties, identify any currently planned development or changes in use of adjacent or alternative adjacent parcels and determine future and planned construction impacts on those properties. The Consultant shall work with the Lead Agency, Scenic Hudson and Indigo River to identify all required approvals and involved and interested agencies. The Consultant shall assist Scenic Hudson in the development of the Alternatives Analysis required for the SEQR/NEPA EIS process, and alternative screening methodology. This process will include an equal comprehensive alternatives analysis for all viable alternatives, and an impact analysis and identification of potential mitigation.

In the event that an EIS is required, the Consultant will prepare the draft and final scoping documents and will assist the Lead Agency in conducting a formal public scoping meeting.

Task 2: Public Involvement Coordination

In coordination with Scenic Hudson, the Consultant shall develop and implement an early action public involvement and engagement plan fulfilling SEQR/NEPA requirements to fully engage and coordinate work with both internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to local, state and federal agencies as well the general public, key stakeholders, and adjacent property owners. Outreach will be directed to all members of the community, including Spanish-speaking residents.

The Consultant shall provide public coordination support in accordance with SEQR/NEPA requirements, and any additional public coordination as requested by Scenic Hudson with stakeholders, including but not limited to the following: key elected officials; commuters; Tarrytown and Westchester County residents; local Business Improvement Districts and other civic and business groups; and other projects that are underway in the area of the Project. The Consultant will also provide support and prepare public notice materials and conduct public meetings and hearings as necessary, in accordance with SEQR/NEPA requirements.

Task 3: Draft EIS

In the event that an EIS is required, the Consultant shall review and incorporate all available documentation and reports into the DEIS. In coordination with other contributing consultants, the Consultant shall prepare and submit the DEIS to the Lead Agency in accordance with the SEQR/NEPA guidelines. The Consultant shall respond to comments and revise the DEIS based on feedback provided by reviewing agencies.

Task 4: Final EIS

In the event that an EIS is required, the Consultant shall prepare and submit the FEIS to the appropriate regulatory agencies for review and approval. The Consultant shall address comments received on the DEIS, incorporating these comments and revisions into the FEIS, and continue to coordinate with other consultants contributing to the report. The Consultant shall take all other steps required to secure final approval of the FEIS.

Task 5: Anticipated Associated Studies

The Consultant shall provide the following studies and assessments, as needed, in furtherance of the Project and in consultation with appropriate state and federal agencies:

• Sub-task 5a: Hazardous materials
  
  • Phase I ESA (A Phase I ESA was prepared during the Feasibility Study, but may require modifications based on the proposed route and other factors)
  • Based on the Phase I ESA, a Phase II (subsurface) Investigation may be required
• Sub-task 5b: Traffic study and parking assessment
• Sub-task 5c: Noise and vibration assessments
• Sub-task 5d: Biological assessments (flora and fauna)
• Sub-task 5e: Coastal zone management assessment, including consideration of sea-level rise, storm surge and flooding
• Sub-task 5f: Aquatic resources assessment, including wetlands
• Sub-task 5g: Compliance with Section 106, historic preservation, and archaeology assessments
  
  • Phase IA, and if needed, a Phase IB cultural resource investigation
• Sub-task 5h: Environmental justice assessment
• Sub-task 5i: Visual impact analysis
• Other studies, analyses, testing, assessments that Scenic Hudson and/or reviewing agencies may determine are needed.

Task 6: Draft Findings Statement

Should an EIS be necessary, the Consultant shall prepare the Draft Findings Statement for the Lead Agency.

Management Structure and Administrative Contract Scope

In coordination with Scenic Hudson and Indigo River, the Consultant shall:

• Provide weekly updates on the status of the work to keep the project moving on schedule;
• Alert the need for any potential change orders;
• As requested by Scenic Hudson, attend periodic meetings or otherwise communicate with relevant agencies, government entities, regulatory bodies, or other relevant stakeholders;
• Produce presentation materials and attend internal and external meetings, reviews, discussions, conferences, or presentations with Scenic Hudson as required;
• Conducting relevant/necessary site visits;
• Preparing all deliverables in generally accepted formats for submission; and
• All deliverables will be reviewed by Scenic Hudson, Indigo River, and potentially other stakeholders. The Consultant shall plan for a two-week review period following key submissions, and the preparation of subsequent draft submissions that may be required following review and feedback.

Selection Criteria

The following will be used to evaluate the proposals:

• Experience with SEQR and NEPA materials production and coordination of SEQR and NEPA reviews
• Related experience with park and waterfront trail projects
• Schedule
• Fee

Proposal Submission Requirements

Please provide your proposal via email, including the sections listed below, by 5 PM on Friday, February 10, 2023 to janzevino@scenichudson.org . Questions for Scenic Hudson on this RFP will be accepted up to Wednesday, February 1 and can also be directed to Jeff Anzevino at janzevino@scenichudson.org .

Please Note: The full RFP and the Feasibility Study attachments for the Project can be sent to interested parties upon request by emailing Jeff Anzevino.

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