Attachment 8a Wetlands and Waters of the United ... -...

Attachment 8a Wetlands and Waters of the United States

Delineation Report for Revision 6 Route

ALASKA STAND ALONE

PIPELINE/ASAP

PROJECT

Wetlands and Waters of the United States Delineation Report

for Rev 6 Route

003-14-913-010 September 2014

NOTICE

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

AND SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED, DISTRIBUTED, DISCLOSED, SHARED OR USED

FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY AGDC IN WRITING.

Wetlands and Waters of the United States Delineation Report for Rev 6 Route

Document No: 003-14-913-010 Date: September 2014 Page iii NOTICE – THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED, DISTRIBUTED, DISCLOSED, SHARED OR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY AGDC IN WRITING. THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING

REVISION HISTORY

Revision Date Comment

Approval

Company Preparing Report

AGDC


Document No: 003-14-913-010 Date: September 2014 Page iv NOTICE – THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED, DISTRIBUTED, DISCLOSED, SHARED OR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY AGDC IN WRITING. THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AGDC Alaska Gasline Development Corporation

AJD Approved Jurisdictional Determination

ASAP Alaska Stand Alone Gas Pipeline

AES ASRC Energy Services Alaska, Inc.

CWA Clean Water Act

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FCI Functional Capacity Index

GCF Gas Conditioning Facility

HDD Horizontal Directional Drilling

HGM Hydrogeomorphic

MMscfd million standard cubic feet per day

NWI National Wetland Inventory

psi pounds per square inch

PJD Preliminary Jurisdictional Determinations

Rev Revision

TNW Traditional Navigable Water

USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

WOUS Waters of the United States


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REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and

Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Washington, DC: US Department of Interior,

Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Publication No. FWS/OBS-

79/31.

EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Guidance Memorandum to EPA and USACE

implementing the Supreme Court’s decision in the consolidated cases of Rapanos v.

United States & Carabell v. United States. December 2, 2008 Memorandum to EPA

Regions and US Army Corps of Engineers.

Ferren Jr., W.R., P.L. Fielder, and R.A. Leidy. 1996. Wetlands of the Central and Southern

California Coast and Coastal Watersheds: A Methodology for their Classification and

Description. San Francisco, CA: US Environmental Protection Agency.

Hall, J. V., W.E. Frayer, and B.O. Wilen. 1994. Status of Alaska Wetlands. US Fish and Wildlife

Service.

Lichvar, R. 2012. The National Wetland Plant List. US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer

Research and Development Center. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

Magee, D.W. and G.G. Hollands. 1998. A Rapid Procedure for Assessing Wetland Functional

Capacity. Bedford, NH: Normandeau Associates, Inc.

Sather, J.H. and R.D. Smith. 1984. An overview of major wetland functions and values. U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-84-18.

USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation

Manual. Vicksburg, MS: USACE, Environmental Laboratory, Waterways Experiment

Station, Wetlands Research Program Technical Report Y-87-1.

USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). 2007. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers

Wetland Delineation Manual: Alaska Region (Version 2.0). Vicksburg, MS: US Army

Engineer Research and Development Center, Publication ERDC/EL TR-07-24.

USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service). 2013. National Wetlands Inventory,

http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/DataDownload.html (Accessed May 1, 2013.)


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 1

2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3

3. Methods ................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Hydrogeomorphic Functions Assessment........................................................................ 6

4. Results ..................................................................................................................................... 7

5. Discussion .............................................................................................................................. 12

5.1 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................ 13 5.2 Waters of the United States ........................................................................................... 13 5.3 Uplands .......................................................................................................................... 14 5.4 Connectivity ................................................................................................................... 14

6. Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination ......................................................................... 15

APPENDICIES

Appendix A: 2014 Wetland Delineation Data Forms

Appendix B: 2014 Functional Assessment Datasheets

Appendix C: Wetland Mapping

Appendix D: Wetland Plant List


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TABLES

Table 1. History of Wetland Reports and AJD ............................................................................ 3

Table 2. 2014 Wetlands and Waters of the United States Determination of Each Full and

Observation Point .......................................................................................................... 8

Table 3. Wetlands, Waters of the United States, and Non-jurisdictional Uplands by Acreage ... 9

Table 4. Wetland HGM Classification by Acreage ..................................................................... 9

Table 5. 2014 Functional Assessment Results ........................................................................... 10


Document No: 003-14-913-010 Date: September 2014 Page viii NOTICE – THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED, DISTRIBUTED, DISCLOSED, SHARED OR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY AGDC IN WRITING. THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING

FIGURES

Figure 1. Overview Map of Pipeline Route ................................................................................ 2


Document No: 003-14-913-010 Date: September 2014 Page 1 NOTICE – THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED, DISTRIBUTED, DISCLOSED, SHARED OR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY AGDC IN WRITING. THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this Wetlands and Waters of the United States (WOUS) Delineation Report

(Report) is to supplement the previous Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD) provided in

July 2013 in support of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s (AGDC’s) proposed

Alaska Stand Alone Gas Pipeline (ASAP) (Figure 1). This information was collected to

determine the location and extent of wetlands and WOUS in the Revision (Rev) 6 ASAP corridor

that fall outside the previous AJD and are potentially subject to the jurisdiction of the United

States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The proposed ASAP project is an approximately 727-mile 36-inch-diameter lean natural gas

pipeline with a flow rate of 500 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) and a maximum

pressure of 1,480 pounds per square inch (psi) at peak capacity. The project also includes 29-

miles of new 12-inch diameter lateral pipeline. The proposed pipeline extends from Prudhoe Bay

to Milepost 39 of ENSTAR’s Beluga natural gas line, with a lateral line leading to Fairbanks,

Alaska (Fairbanks Lateral). It will be buried, except at elevated bridge stream crossings, possible

fault crossings, pigging facilities, and off-take valve locations.

The ASAP corridor includes a planning corridor, a construction corridor, and off-Right-of-Way

facilities (e.g. access roads or material sites) located outside the planning corridor. The planning

corridor along the pipeline alignment is 2,000 feet wide (1,000 feet on each side of the

centerline). The construction corridor is 300 feet wide (150 feet on each side of the centerline)

along the length of the pipeline planning corridor.

ASRC Energy Services Alaska, Inc. (AES) performed this wetlands and WOUS delineation in

accordance with the USACE Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE 1987)

and the Regional Supplement to the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual: Alaska Region

(Version 2.0) (USACE 2007).

AES’s fieldwork and mapping efforts found the 300-foot-wide construction corridor consists of

54 percent wetlands, 45 percent uplands, and 1 percent other WOUS. All wetlands identified in

this Report appear to be jurisdictional per the CWA, however only the USACE can make a de-

finitive jurisdictional determination.



Figure 1. Overview Map of Pipeline Route



2. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this WOUS Report is to supplement the previous AJD and wetland reports (Table

1) in support of the AGDC’s proposed ASAP. This year’s information was collected to determine

the location and extent of wetlands and WOUS in the Rev 6 ASAP corridor that are potentially

subject to the jurisdiction of the USACE under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and

Section 404 of the CWA.

Table 1. History of Wetland Reports and AJD

Title (referenced in this report) Description and Summary (includ-

ing Area of Coverage)

Date Submit-

ted to

USACE

Wetlands Technical Report, In-State Gas Pipeline Project, Prudhoe Bay to Wasilla, Alaska (2010 Technical Report)

2008–2009: Pre-mapping of wetlands over entire 2,000-foot-wide planning corridor and limited field study focused on the Interior.

April 2010

Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination, Prudhoe Bay to Milepost 39 of the Beluga Natural Gas Pipeline Near Point MacKenzie, Alaska (2011 PJD Report)

2010: Large field investigation for 300-foot-wide construction corridor for the entire ASAP alignment. Update mapping of planning corridor.

March 2011

Wetlands and Waters of the United States Delineation Report to Supplement the March 2011 Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination, Prudhoe Bay to Milepost 39 of the Beluga Natural Gas Pipeline Near Point MacKenzie, Alaska (2012 PJD Report)

2011: Abbreviated field investigation for 300-foot-wide construction corridor for the entire ASAP alignment. Update mapping of planning corridor.

March 2012

Wetlands and Waters of the United States Delineation Report and Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination 2012 Field Program and Summary of 2008–2012 Findings (2012 Final Report)

2012: Identify remaining data gaps, investigate road corridors, and provide final wetlands and WOUS mapping for entire ASAP Corridor.

December 2012

USACE Approved Jurisdictional Determination (Rev 5) July 11, 2013 N/A

Wetlands and Waters of the United States Delineation Report for Rev 6 Route (this Report)

2014: Update wetlands mapping for new Rev 6 Corridor

Fall 2014

Notes:

ASAP = Alaska Stand Alone Gas Pipeline

PJD = Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination

USACE = US Army Corps of Engineers

WOUS = Waters of the United States

The proposed ASAP project is an approximately 727-mile 36-inch-diameter lean natural gas

pipeline with a flow rate of 500 MMscfd and a maximum pressure of 1,480 psi at peak capacity.

The project also includes 29-miles of new 12-inch diameter lateral pipeline. The proposed

pipeline extends from Prudhoe Bay to Milepost 39 of ENSTAR’s Beluga natural gas line, with a

lateral line leading to Fairbanks, Alaska (Fairbanks Lateral). It will be buried, except at elevated

bridge stream crossings, possible fault crossings, pigging facilities, and off-take valve locations.



The ASAP corridor includes a planning corridor, a construction corridor, and off Right-of-Way

(e.g. access roads or material sites) located outside the planning corridor. The planning corridor

along the pipeline alignment is 2,000 feet wide (1,000 feet on each side of the centerline). The

construction corridor is 300 feet wide (150 feet on each side of the centerline) along the length of

the pipeline planning corridor.



3. METHODS

Delineations of wetlands were conducted in accordance with the USACE Corps of Engineers

Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE 1987) and the Regional Supplement to the USACE

Wetland Delineation Manual: Alaska Region (Version 2.0) (USACE 2007). These same

methods were used in all previous studies and approved through the July 2013 USACE AJD. The

overall effort included:

Preliminary Data Gathering and Analysis

Field Investigation

Wetlands Classification

Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Functions Assessment

Post-field Data Review

Final Mapping

Information gathered from the preliminary data review was used to develop an initial sampling

plan for the field investigation and to map potential habitat types within the study areas. These

data were used to generate preliminary maps and to estimate the number of data points and

approximate locations. AES referenced the following data sources that provided a basis for

fieldwork planning:

Aerial photography

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps

(USFWS 2013), digital datasets, and hardcopy maps

US Geological Survey Digital Raster Graphics (i.e., topographic maps)

North American Digital Flora: 2012 National Wetland Plant List (Lichvar 2012)

Knowledge of the project area from past AES field experience

The locations of field targets were determined before conducting the field surveys. Field targets

were selected in areas where interpretation of aerial photography was most difficult. These field

targets included areas where inundation was not visible, high-resolution topography data were

unavailable, the quality of photography was poor, or seasonal conditions (e.g., snow cover, leaf

drop) affect photographic interpretation. Field targets were generally positioned within the 300-

foot-wide construction corridor, to allow extrapolating to the 2,000-foot-wide planning corridor.

Full Point field determinations of wetlands were performed according to the three-parameter

approach using vegetative, hydric soils, and hydrologic characteristics, as described in the

USACE Wetlands Delineation Manuals (USACE 1987, 2007). Photographs were taken at each

point to document the vegetation and general characteristics.



Observation Points were completed where vegetation, hydrology, and general site characteristics

were similar to sample points where a Full Point was completed. In large study areas,

Observation Points allow field personnel to use their best professional judgment to extrapolate

data from Full Points into other similar areas. An Observation Point was completed to document

general site conditions and provides overview photographs of the site. The Full Point USACE

field determination forms and Observation Point forms are included in Appendix A.

On the basis of the habitat components observed and recorded at each field target, wetlands and

other WOUS areas were classified according to the system guidelines outlined in Classification of

Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). Hydrologic

modifiers were added to each wetlands class. Areas determined to be uplands were classified as

such and not assigned a Cowardin class.

Upon completion of field data collection, the USACE field determination forms, Observation

Point forms, and field notes were evaluated for accuracy and completeness. The data were used

to update existing wetlands mapping with new information (including functional assessment

data). These updated data were incorporated into the geodatabase containing all project wetlands

data. Final wetlands mapping was completed using ArcGIS. The aerial photography originally

used to pre-map the study area was used as a base map to digitally map wetlands and habitat

boundaries.

3.1 HYDROGEOMORPHIC FUNCTIONS ASSESSMENT

Wetlands impacted by development activities must be mitigated by replacing the lost functions of

the wetlands. An assessment of wetlands function requires documenting data such as HGM class,

wetland size, vegetation and soil attributes, and landscape characteristics on a field data sheet.

Field targets identified as wetlands were analyzed in situ for functional capacity using a rapid

assessment method developed by Magee and Hollands (1998). The remaining wetlands within

the ASAP project area were assigned functional scores by using GIS and aerial photography to

correlate aerial signatures of delineated wetlands with the non-delineated wetlands.

Wetland habitats were assigned identifiers according to HGM class (depressional, slope, flat, riv-

erine, and lacustrine fringe) consistent with the method in Magee and Hollands (1998). These

definitions vary from the class definitions found in Cowardin et al. (1979). This was done for

ease of incorporating data into the functional assessment model based on Magee and Hollands

(1998). The wetland functional data are fully analyzed in another report, but the individual 2014

functional assessment datasheets are included here for reference (Appendix B).



4. RESULTS

Field investigations in 2014 were conducted in May, June, and July at 254 field points (data

forms in Appendix A and field mapping in Appendix C). Plant species observed are listed in

Appendix D. Table 2 is a summary of the wetland determinations made at each of these sites.

Table 3 summarizes the results in acreages found over the project. WOUS, including intermittent

and perennial rivers, and lakes and ponds were mapped using aerial photography due to the high

level of detail available. Acres outside the 2,000-foot-wide construction corridor only included

material sites, access roads, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) pads, and the Gas

Conditioning Facilities (GCF).



Table 2. 2014 Wetlands and Waters of the United States Determination of Each

Full and Observation Point

TYPE FULL POINTS OBSERVATION POINTS

Wetlands

Emergent

2014W004, 2014W006, 2014W007, 2014W008, 2014W009-1, 2014W010, 2014W013, 2014W039, 2014W042-1, 2014W043, 2014W047, 2014W047-2, 2014W048-1, 2014W051-1, 2014W073-1, 2014W079, 2014W101-1, 2014W106, 2014W126, 2014W133, 2014W137, 2014W148, 2014W185, 2014W207, 2014W210, 2014W211, 2014W217, 2014W221, 2014W229

2014W003, 2014W008-1, 2014W010-1, 2014W011-1, 2014W013-1, 2014W050-2, 2014W073-2, 2014W074-1, 2014W120/119, 2014W133-1, 2014W209, 2014W230, 2014W232

Scrub Shrub

2014W011, 2014W014, 2014W020, 2014W037, 2014W038, 2014W042, 2014W048, 2014W049, 2014W050, 2014W059, 2014W074, 2014W077, 2014W089, 2014W100-1, 2014W102-2, 2014W114, 2014W134, 2014W167-1, 2014W176, 2014W206, 2014W218, 2014W219

2014W045, 2014W046, 2014W059-1, 2014W113, 2014W167-3, 2014W192-1

Forest 2014W019, 2014W022, 2014W032, 2014W033, 2014W040, 2014W051, 2014W070, 2014W101, 2014W115, 2014W130, 2014W200, 2014W223, 2014W226, 2014W227

2014W20-1, 2014W021, 2014W041, 2014W051-2, 2014W150

Waters of the United States

Lower Perennial

2014W122, 2014W157 2014W093-1, 2014W157-1, 2014W215, 2014W215-1

Upper Perennial

2014W216 2014W016-1, 2014W052-1, 2014W053-1, 2014W076-1, 2014W208, 2014W217-1

Intermittent 2014W079-1, 2014W134-1, 2014W175, 2014W177-1, 2014W182-1

Lakes and Ponds

2014W202-1, 2014W211-1

Marine 2014W233-1

Uplands

Uplands

2014W005, 2014W009, 2014W012, 2014W015, 2014W017, 2014W018, 2014W024, 2014W025, 2014W026, 2014W027, 2014W028, 2014W030, 2014W030-1, 2014W031, 2014W034, 2014W035, 2014W036, 2014W050-1, 2014W052, 2014W053, 2014W056, 2014W060, 2014W063, 2014W064, 2014W065, 2014W068, 2014W069, 2014W070-1, 2014W073, 2014W076, 2014W077-1, 2014W078, 2014W080, 2014W085 , 2014W087, 2014W089-1, 2014W100, 2014W102, 2014W103, 2014W105, 2014W107, 2014W109, 2014W110, 2014W111, 2014W116, 2014W118, 2014W131, 2014W132, 2014W135, 2014W138, 2014W139, 2014W139-1, 2014W140-1, 2014W141, 2014W141-1, 2014W149, 2014W151, 2014W152, 2014W153, 2014W155, 2014W156, 2014W162, 2014W164, 2014W167, 2014W167-2, 2014W168, 2014W169, 2014W171, 2014W172, 2014W173, 2014W180, 2014W184, 2014W186, 2014W187, 2014W190, 2014W191, 2014W191-1, 2014W192, 2014W193, 2014W194, 2014W196, 2014W199, 2014W202, 2014W205, 2014W212, 2014W213, 2014W214, 2014W214-1, 2014W220, 2014W222, 2014W224, 2014W228

2014W016, 2014W036-1, 2014W044, 2014W047-1, 2014W047-3, 2014W050-3, 2014W055, 2014W057, 2014W072, 2014W075, 2014W075-1, 2014W081, 2014W082, 2014W083, 2014W084, 2014W093, 2014W094, 2014W099, 2014W102-1, 2014W104, 2014W108, 2014W112, 2014W117 , 2014W121, 2014W127/128, 2014W129, 2014W133-2, 2014W140, 2014W141-2, 2014W160, 2014W161, 2014W163, 2014W165, 2014W166/167, 2014W170, 2014W174, 2014W177, 2014W178, 2014W181, 2014W182, 2014W183, 2014W185-1, 2014W188, 2014W189, 2014W190-2, 2014W193-1, 2014W195, 2014W197, 2014W198, 2014W203, 2014W204, 2014W225



Table 3. Wetlands, Waters of the United States, and Non-jurisdictional Uplands by

Acreage

TYPE

ACRES INSIDE THE 300-FOOT-

WIDE CONSTRUCTION CORRIDOR NOT INCLUDING THE

GCF

ACRES OUTSIDE THE 300-FOOT-WIDE AND

INSIDE THE 2,000 FOOT-WIDE CONSTRUCTION

CORRIDOR NOT INCLUDING THE GCF

ACRES OUTSIDE THE 2,000-FOOT-WIDE CONSTRUCTION CORRIDOR NOT

INCLUDING THE GCF

GAS CONDITIONING

FACILITY

Wetlands

Emergent 4,932.59 27,512.60 2793.48 155.42

Scrub Shrub 8,425.11 45,822.41 2,909.49 0

Forest 1,391.18 7,451.93 993.22 0

Waters of the United States

Lower Perennial 52.23 542.5 571.34 0

Upper Perennial 145.6 2,210.45 378.29 0

Intermittent 16.39 117.16 7.53 0.08

Lakes and Ponds 61.82 1,390.68 201.68 15.13

Marine 0 0 0 8.69

Uplands

Uplands 12,447.98 70,350 20,188.01 40.61

Wetlands functional data were incorporated into a model based on a method by Magee and Hol-

lands (1998) that produces a Functional Capacity Index (FCI) score. Table 4 is a summary of the

HGM types by acreage across the project, and Table 5 is a summary of the FCI scores of points

taken during the 2014 field season. These raw data will be incorporated into the project database

and summarized in an Aquatic Site Assessment report developed according to the previously ap-

proved assessment methodology.

Table 4. Wetland HGM Classification by Acreage

TYPE

ACRES INSIDE THE 300-FOOT-WIDE CONSTRUCTION CORRIDOR NOT

INCLUDING THE GCF

ACRES OUTSIDE THE 300-FOOT-WIDE AND

INSIDE THE 2,000 FOOT-WIDE CONSTRUCTION

CORRIDOR NOT INCLUDING THE GCF

ACRES OUTSIDE THE 2,000-FOOT-WIDE CONSTRUCTION CORRIDOR NOT

INCLUDING THE GCF

GAS CONDITIONING

FACILITY

Flat 11,317.13 61,692.33 4947.86 155.42

Depression 702.59 5,086.19 251.51 15.13

Lacustrine Fringe 3.47 49.64 0

Slope 2,601.00 13,750.43 1524.97

Riverine 399.94 4,469.93 1,130.68 0.08



Table 5. 2014 Functional Assessment Results

Data

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ualit

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Abundance a

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Vegeta

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Contr

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Abundance a

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f W

etla

nd

Fa

una

Flat Wetlands (FCI Score) 2014W004 0.61 0.39 1 NA 0.89 NA 1 0.75

2014W006 0.5 0.5 1 NA 0.89 NA 1 0.72

2014W007 0.5 0.5 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.87 0.75

2014W008 0.67 0.33 1 NA 0.83 NA 1 0.81

2014W009-1 0.67 0.33 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.87 0.75

2014W010 0.56 0.44 0.7 0.67 0.83 0.61 1 0.75

2014W013 0.56 0.44 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.87 0.69

2014W019 0.28 0.56 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.73 0.75

2014W022 0.5 0.5 1 NA 0.94 NA 0.47 0.78

2014W037 0.44 0.56 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.6 0.92

2014W038 0.67 0.33 0.7 0.67 0.78 0.61 0.87 0.81

2014W039 0.39 0.61 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.33 0.67

2014W040 0.56 0.67 1 NA 1 NA 0.87 0.78

2014W042 0.28 0.56 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.73 0.75

2014W043 0.44 0.56 0.78 0.67 1 0.61 0.6 0.69

2014W047 0.44 0.56 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.87 0.81

2014W047-2 0.67 0.33 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.73 0.81

2014W051 0.5 0.5 1 NA 0.94 NA 1 0.83

2014W051-1 0.72 0.28 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.6 0.75

2014W074 0.72 0.44 0.59 0.67 0.67 0.83 0.87 0.81

2014W077 0.72 0.44 0.67 0.67 0.78 0.67 0.73 0.78

2014W079 0.78 0.39 0.48 0.67 0.72 0.72 0.73 0.67

2014W089 0.67 0.44 0.59 0.44 0.67 0.67 0.73 0.78

2014W100-1 0.28 0.56 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.73 0.61

2014W101 0.67 0.33 0.63 0.44 0.83 0.44 1 0.75

2014W101-1 0.5 0.5 1 NA 0.89 NA 1 0.67

2014W114 0.39 0.61 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.87 0.81

2014W115 0.72 0.28 1 NA 0.89 NA 1 0.83

2014W126 0.61 0.72 0.44 0.44 0.61 0.56 0.73 0.56

2014W130 1 NA 0.67 0.67 0.72 0.89 0.73 0.64

2014W133 0.67 0.33 1 NA 0.72 NA 0.87 0.64

2014W137 0.56 0.44 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.87 0.69

2014W148 0.78 NA 0.63 0.67 0.67 0.78 1 0.75

2014W176 0.44 0.39 0.67 0.44 0.78 0.72 0.87 0.75

2014W200 0.44 0.61 1 NA 0.78 NA 0.87 0.78

2014W206 0.61 0.39 0.56 0.44 0.72 0.61 0.87 0.69

2014W207 0.72 0.28 1 NA 0.89 NA 1 0.89

2014W210 0.5 0.5 1 NA 0.89 NA 0.87 0.81

2014W211 0.61 0.39 1 NA 0.89 NA 1 0.81

2014W217 0.56 0.44 1 NA 0.83 NA 0.87 0.69

2014W221 0.56 0.44 0.59 0.44 0.72 0.78 0.73 0.69

2014W223 0.39 0.61 1 NA 0.67 NA 0.87 0.58

2014W226 0.39 0.61 1.00 NA 0.94 NA 0.87 0.81

2014W229 0.67 0.33 1.00 NA 0.78 NA 1.00 0.78

Slope Wetlands (FCI Score) 2014W011 0.47 N/A 0.62 0.44 0.87 0.80 0.87 0.85

2014W014 0.60 N/A 1.00 0.00 0.93 0.00 0.87 0.79

2014W106 0.53 N/A 1.00 0.00 0.93 0.00 0.73 0.79

2014W218 0.60 N/A 1.00 0.00 0.93 0.00 0.87 0.82



Data

Fo

rm I

D

Mo

dific

atio

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f G

roundw

ate

r D

is-

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Mo

dific

atio

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Gro

undw

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e-

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Sto

rm a

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lood

Wate

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tora

ge

Mo

dific

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n o

f S

tream

Flo

w

Mo

dific

atio

n o

f W

ate

r Q

ualit

y

Export

of D

etr

itus

Contr

ibutio

n t

o

Abundance a

nd D

i-

vers

ity o

f W

etla

nd

Vegeta

tio

n

Contr

ibutio

n t

o

Abundance a

nd D

i-vers

ity o

f W

etla

nd

Fa

una

2014W219 0.53 N/A 1.00 0.00 0.87 0.00 0.87 0.76

Lacustrine Fringe Wetlands (FCI Score) 2014W122 N/A 0.00 0.61 0.00 1.00 0.87 0.87 0.78

Depression Wetlands (FCI Score) 2014W020 0.39 0.44 1.00 0.00 0.78 0.00 0.87 0.81

2014W042-1 0.67 0.33 0.63 0.44 0.83 0.44 0.73 0.75

2014W048 0.44 0.56 1.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.87 0.81

2014W048-1 0.67 0.33 1.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.73 0.89

2014W049 0.56 0.44 1.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.73 0.81

2014W050 0.44 0.56 1.00 0.00 0.83 0.00 0.87 0.81

2014W059 0.61 0.00 0.75 0.67 0.78 0.72 1.00 0.83

2014W070 0.56 0.61 0.71 0.67 0.78 0.78 0.73 0.81

2014W073-1 0.61 0.39 1.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.87 0.86

2014W102-2 0.67 0.33 1.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.87 0.78

2014W134 0.56 0.44 0.67 0.44 0.89 0.56 0.73 0.81

2014W167-1 0.61 0.56 0.67 0.44 0.78 0.72 0.73 0.78

2014W185 0.67 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.89 0.00 0.73 0.81

2014W227 0.39 0.61 1.00 0.00 0.83 0.00 0.73 0.78



5. DISCUSSION

The Rev 6 Alternative of the ASAP project is located in the Arctic, Interior, and Southcentral sub-

regions of Alaska (USACE 2007) that transitions through myriad of habitats. The Arctic is a cold

climate region characterized by permafrost, tundra polygons, and treeless landscape. The boreal

forests of the Interior are characterized by heterogeneous landscapes due to topographical

variations and successional regrowth. The mild climates of the Southcentral region, are

dominated by temperate forests and the majority of agricultural and urban development in the

state. Existing development along the ASAP project includes: railroad corridors, highway

corridors, residential developments, commercial developments, and industrial developments.

Utility corridors, material sources, and other developed infrastructure are present throughout the

study area.

The study area is interspersed with habitat mosaics including: palustrine wetlands (emergent,

forested, and scrub/shrub), riverine systems, open water habitats, and uplands (natural and man-

made). Palustrine habitats are important regions for nesting and migratory bird species.

Additionally, these sites can provide native plant species refuge from competition in other

environments such as uplands and forests (Sather and Smith 1984). Hydrology can range from

saturated to permanently flooded (Hall et al. 1994).

Palustrine emergent habitat is characterized by erect herbaceous perennial plants that persist for

most of the growing season, such as moist tussock tundra and sedge/grass marshes (Hall et al.

1994). Hydrological features associated with palustrine emergent habitat include: channels,

seeps/springs, floodplains, margins of lakes/rivers, pools, and ponds (Ferren Jr. et al. 1996).

Palustrine scrub/shrub habitat is dominated by woody vegetation less than 6 meters tall including

woody shrubs, saplings, and stunted trees (Hall et al. 1994). This is one of the most ubiquitous

habitat classes in the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). Palustrine scrub/shrubs may reflect

successional changes, as suggested by the presence of new/young tree growth. Hydrological

features associated with palustrine scrub/shrub habitat include: stream/river beds, floodplains,

riverbanks, and terraces (Ferren Jr. et al. 1996).

Palustrine forested habitat is characterized by a canopy of trees (woody vegetation taller than 20

feet) with an understory of saplings, shrubs, and an interspersed herbaceous layer (Cowardin et al.

1979). This is the most common type of palustrine vegetated wetland in the contiguous United

States, but the least common in Alaska (Hall et al. 1994). Hydrological features associated with

palustrine forested habitat include: seeps, riparian corridors, floodplains, terraces, and lake

margins (Ferren Jr. et al. 1996).

Riverine systems are characterized by flowing water through a channeled path with bed and bank

features, although flowing water does not have to be present at all times (Cowardin et al. 1979).



Riverine habitats are defined by the make-up of their substrates and the relative permanence of

water in the system. Lower perennial habitats are characterized by substrates of sand and mud,

with slow moving water that is present year-round (Cowardin et al. 1979). Upper perennial

habitats are characterized by substrates of rock and cobble, with fast moving, oxygenated water

that is present year-round (Cowardin et al. 1979).

5.1 WETLANDS

Emergent wetlands totaling 4,932.59 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction cor-

ridor. Emergent wetlands ranged from saturated conditions to deep standing water. Emergent

wetland vegetation cover included: Calamagrostis canadensis, Eriophorum vaginatum, Salix sp.,

Carex aquatilis, Ledum decumbens, Eriophorum angustifolium, and Dryas integrifolia. Some

emergent wetlands had subdominant shrub layers present, in particular on raised tussocks.

Scrub/shrub wetlands totaling 8,425.11 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction

corridor. Scrub/shrub wetlands ranged from low shrub meadows with sparse spruce coverage to

tall thickets. Scrub/shrub vegetation cover included: Betula nana, Calamagrostis canadensis,

Ledum decumbens, Picea mariana, Salix pulchra, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, and Vaccinium uligi-

nosum. Scrub/shrub wetlands often intergraded with uplands and emergent wetlands on boarder

areas.

Forest wetlands totaling 1,391.18 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction corri-

dor. Many forested wetlands were associated with understory cover dominated by bryophytes.

Vegetation primarily consists of: Picea mariana, Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Ledum groenlandicum, Betula nana, Betula neoalaskana, and Equisetum arvense. This was the

most common wetland category in the Interior (Fairbanks Lateral) study area. This finding is

typical of Alaska, where the Interior region hosts the majority of Alaska’s forested wetlands (Hall

et al. 1994).

5.2 WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES

Upper perennial streams totaling 145.6 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction

corridor. Upper perennial streams are smaller year-round waterways which experience higher

flows due to seasonal snow melt and precipitation. These streams connect seasonal drainages

with the large rivers which dominate the landscape. Upper perennial streams can provide im-

portant fishery and wildlife habitat.

Lower perennial waterways totaling 52.23 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction

corridor. Lower perennial waterways are larger rivers, such as the Yukon River or Susitna River.

These are major landscape features, with erosive and sedimentation forces that change the envi-

ronment. Lower perennial waterways provide important connectivity and habitat for fishery re-

sources in all regions of the project.

Lakes and ponds totaling 61.82 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction corridor.

Lakes and ponds hold water during high water events, provide important fish and terrestrial habi-

tat, and create valuable vegetation breaks in continuous landscapes.



Intermittent streams totaling 16.39 acres were found inside the 300-foot-wide construction corri-

dor. Intermittent streams are seasonal waterways which often dry up or freeze solid during the

winter. These waterways are important spawning habitat during the summer and fall for fish re-

sources, and are the most common waterway in the project. Protecting these streams from ero-

sion and sedimentation is an important step in maintaining a healthy ecosystem for the entire river

system.

5.3 UPLANDS

Uplands (developed and natural) were documented totaling 12,447.98 acres inside the 300-foot-

wide construction corridor. Developed uplands include the highway system and residential,

commercial, and industrial developments. Natural uplands were found to exist with vegetation

cover including: Picea glauca, Betula neoalaskana, Cornus canadensis, Vaccinium uliginosum,

Populus balsamifera, Chamerion angustifolium, and Oplopanax horridus.

5.4 CONNECTIVITY

All wetlands and WOUS north of Atigun Pass abut, or are adjacent to, relatively permanent

systems that have a connection to the Itkillik River, Kuparuk River, and/or Sagavanirktok River.

All wetlands and WOUS south of Atigun Pass and north of Coldfoot abut, or are adjacent to,

relatively permanent systems that have a connection to the Chandalar or Dietrich River and

ultimately flow to the Koyukuk River system and/or the Yukon River.

All wetlands and WOUS south of Coldfoot and north of Livengood abut, or are adjacent to,

relatively permanent systems that ultimately flow to the Dietrich River, Koyukuk River, Tanana

River, or Yukon River systems.

All wetlands and WOUS south of Livengood and north of Broad Pass abut, or are adjacent to,

relatively permanent systems that ultimately flow to the Tanana and/or Nenana River.

All wetlands and WOUS south of Broad Pass abut, or are adjacent to, relatively permanent sys-

tems that ultimately flow to the Susitna River or Little Susitna River, which flow to Cook Inlet

and the Pacific Ocean.



6. PRELIMINARY JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION

The presence of wetlands and other WOUS were analyzed under the USACE/Environmental Pro-

tection Agency (EPA) CWA Guidance. The USACE regulates wetlands and other WOUS that

are under their jurisdiction. The agencies will assert jurisdiction over the following waters:

Traditional Navigable Waters (TNW)

Wetlands adjacent to TNW

Non-navigable tributaries of TNW that are relatively permanent where the tributaries typ-

ically flow year-round or have continuous low flow at least seasonally (e.g., typically

three months)

Wetlands that directly abut such tributaries

The agencies will decide jurisdiction over the following waters on the basis of a fact-specific

analysis to determine whether they have a significant nexus with TNW:

Non-navigable tributaries that are not relatively permanent

Wetlands adjacent to non-navigable tributaries that are not relatively permanent

Wetlands adjacent to, but that does not directly abut, a relatively permanent, non-

navigable tributary

The agencies will apply the significant nexus standard as follows (EPA 2008):

“A significant nexus analysis will assess the flow characteristics and functions of the

tributary itself and the functions performed by all wetlands adjacent to the tributary to de-

termine if they significantly affect the chemical, physical and biological integrity of

downstream traditional navigable waters. Significant nexus includes consideration of hy-

drologic and ecologic factors.”

The following rivers and creeks in the ASAP corridors are TNW and are connected to wetlands

identified in this report:

Koyukuk River

Kuparuk River

Little Susitna River

Nenana River

Sagavanirktok River

Susitna River

Tanana River

Yukon River



In addition, the USACE and EPA will decide jurisdiction over the following waters on the basis

of a fact-specific analysis to determine whether they have a significant nexus with a TNW:

Non-navigable tributaries that are not relatively permanent

Wetlands adjacent to non-navigable tributaries that are not relatively permanent

Wetlands adjacent to but that do not directly abut a relatively permanent, non-navigable

tributary

In all instances where the ASAP project directly impacts TNW, such as those waters listed above,

the USACE will assert jurisdiction under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.

The USACE makes the final determination as to whether the wetlands or WOUS are jurisdiction-

al. The wetlands mapping included with this report will assist the USACE in its determination.

It is AES’s professional opinion, on the basis of the above criteria, the USACE will assert juris-

diction on all wetlands and WOUS mapped.

Appendix A: Wetland Delineation Data Forms

Document No: 003-14-913-010

NOTICE – THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED, DISTRIBUTED, DISCLOSED, SHARED OR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY AGDC IN WRITING.

APPENDIX A: 2014 WETLAND DELINEATION DATA FORMS

Appendix A: Wetland Delineation Data Forms

Document No: 003-14-913-010


This page intentionally left blank.

Appendix B: Functional Assessment Datasheets

Document No: 003-14-913-010


APPENDIX B: 2014 FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT DATASHEETS

Appendix B: Functional Assessment Datasheets

Document No: 003-14-913-010




Document No: 003-14-913-010


APPENDIX C: WETLAND MAPPING


Document No: 003-14-913-010




Document No: 003-14-913-010


APPENDIX D: WETLAND PLANT LIST

2014 Wetland Plant List

Agrostis stolonifera Dasiphora fruticosa Menziesia ferruginea Salix bebbiana

Alnus incana

Deschampsia caespi-

tosa Mertensia paniculata Salix candida

Alnus rubra Drosera rotundifolia

Moehringia lateriflo-

ra Salix fuscescens

Alnus viridis Dryas drumondii Myrica gale Salix glauca

Andromeda polifolia Dryas integrifolia Oplopanax horridus Salix hastata

Anemone narcissiflo-

ra Dryopteris expansa Papaver macounii Salix interior

Anemone parviflora Eleocharis acicularis Parnassia palustris Salix myrtillifolia

Arctostaphylos alpina Eleocharis palustris Pedicularis capitata Salix ovalifolia

Arctostaphylos rubra Elymus alaskanus

Pedicularis

chamissionis Salix planifolia

Arnica chamissonis Empetrum nigrum

Pedicularis groen-

landica Salix polaris

Arnica lanceolata Equisetum arvense Pedicularis lanata Salix pseudomonticola

Artemisia tilesii Equisetum hyemale Pedicularis lapponica Salix pulchra

Astragalus alpinus Equisetum palustre Pedicularis parviflora Salix reticulata

Astragalus ameri-

canus Equisetum pratense

Pedicularis verticilla-

ta Salix richardsonii

Astragalus polaris Equisetum scirpoides Petasites frigidus Salix rotundifolia

Athyrium filix-femina Equisetum sylvaticum Picea glauca Salix scouleriana

Betula glandulosa

Equisetum variega-

tum Picea mariana Salix sitchensis

Betula nana Erigeron humilis Platanthera obtusata

Sanguisorba canaden-

sis

Betula neoalaskana

Eriophorum angusti-

folium

Platanthera orbicula-

ta Saussurea angustifolia

Betula papyrifera Eriophorum callitrix Polyganum bistorta Saussurea nuda

Calamagrostis cana-

densis

Eriophorum russe-

olum Populus balsamifera Saussurea viscida

Cardamine micro-

phylla

Eriophorum vagina-

tum Populus tremuloides Shepherdia canadensis

Carex aquatilis Festuca rubra Potentilla diversifolia Sorbus scopulina

Carex aurea Galium boreale Potentilla norvegica Spiraea douglasii

Carex bigelowii Geocaulon lividum Pyrola asarifolia Spiraea stevenii


Document No: 003-14-913-010


2014 Wetland Plant List

Carex canescens

Gymnocarpium dry-

opteris Pyrola grandiflora

Streptopus amplexifo-

lius

Carex capillaris Hedysarum alpinum

Ranunculus lapponi-

cus Tofieldia pusilla

Carex lenticularis Hordeum jubatum

Ranunculus occiden-

talis

Trichophorum caespi-

tosum

Carex magellanica Iris setosa

Rhododendron lap-

ponicum Trientalis borealis

Carex membranacea

Juncus alpinoarticula-

tus Ribes hudsonianum Trientalis europa

Carex mertensii Juncus arcticus Ribes triste Typha latifolia

Carex microptera Juncus articulatus Rosa acicularis Vaccinium alaskaense

Carex saxatilis Juncus effusus Rubus arcticus

Vaccinium caespito-

sum

Carex scirpoidea Larix laricina Rubus chamaemorus Vaccinium ovalfolium

Cassiope tetragona Ledum decumbens Rubus spectabilis Vaccinium oxycoccos

Chamaedaphne ca-

lyculata

Ledum groenland-

icum Rumex arcticus Vaccinium uliginosum

Chamerion angustifo-

lium Linnaea borealis Salix alaxensis Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Chamerion latifolium Lloydia serotina Salix arbusculoides Valeriana capitata

Comandra umbellata

Loiseleuria procum-

bens Salix arctica Valeriana sitchensis

Comarum palustre Lupinus arcticus Salix barclayi Veratrum viride

Cornus canadensis Menyanthes trifoliata Salix barrattiana Viburnum edule

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