Acid Drainage: Is a low pH, sulfate-rich water with high amounts of acidity. The acidity is comprised of mineral acidity (iron, aluminum, manganese, and other metals depending on the geologic deposit) and also hydrogen acidity. Acid drainage results from the oxidation of metal disulfide minerals upon exposure to air and water

Alignment: Refers to the proposed routing of either the Improved Roadway Alternative (ASDEIS IRA) or the Build Alternative and associated option areas

Alternative: General term that refers to possible approaches to meeting the project purpose and need. Typically refers to the No-Build Alternative, the Improved Roadway Alternative (ASDEIS IRA), and the Build Alternative

Anticline: A convex fold in bedrock

Aquifer: A water-bearing unit of permeable rock, sand or gravel, which yield considerable quantities of water to springs and wells

Benthic: Located on the bottom of a body of water or in the bottom sediments, or pertaining to bottom-dwelling organisms

Biodiversity: The variety and abundance of species, their genetic composition, and the communities, ecosystems, and landscapes in which they occur

Biotic: Of or pertaining to life and living organisms

Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, ordorless, poisonous gas that is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon and is emitted directly by automobiles and trucks

Groundwater: Naturally occurring water that moves through the ground and underlying rock, at a depth of several feet to several hundred feet

Karst: The occurrence of limestone as the first bedrock unit beneath the soil in which cavities form due to the solubility of limestone under certain conditions. Surface characteristics include sinkholes and sinking streams

Level of Service (LOS): Operating conditions within a stream of traffic describing safety, traffic interruptions, speed, freedom to maneuver, comfort and convenience. Six levels of service are defined, designated A through F, with A representing the best conditions and F the worst

Line: Refers to a specific, designated alignment under the Build Alternative (e.g., Line A, Line S, etc.)

Line A (VA): Refers to Line A in Virginia

Local Project Watershed: The subwatershed which directly "surround" the alignments

Nitrogen Oxide: Colorless, sweet-tasting gas emitted directly by automobiles and trucks

Option Area: Area in which two or more alignments are under consideration for the Build Alternative

Ozone: Unstable blue gas with a pungent odor formed principally in secondary reactions involving volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and sunlight

Preferred Alternative (WV): Refers to Line A in West Virginia, except within the Option Areas I. S. F. B and 5-D. where the alternative line was selected

Regional Project Watershed: The portion of the major river watershed bounded by the 30-Minute-Contour

Riparian: Pertaining to anything connected with or immediately adjacent to the banks of a stream

Syncline: A concave fold in bedrock

Watershed: A specific geographic area drained by a major stream or river

Zones of Sensitivity: Water recharge areas underlain by a combination of limestone and sandstone; the sensitivity of such recharge areas was classified as high, moderate, or low
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