Environmental Assessmenta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic...Environmental Assessment...

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Environmental Assessment Gold Digger Mining Plan of Operations March 2017 Lead Agency Responsible Official For Further Information, Contact: US .Forest Service Seward Ranger District Francisco B. Sanchez Seward District Ranger 29847 Seward Highway Seward, Alaska 99664 Mike Johnson Seward Ranger District 29847 Seward Highway Seward, Alaska 99664

Transcript of Environmental Assessmenta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic...Environmental Assessment...

Page 1: Environmental Assessmenta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic...Environmental Assessment Gold Digger Mining Plan of Operations March 2017 Lead Agency Responsible Official

Environmental AssessmentGold Digger

Mining Plan of Operations

March 2017

Lead Agency

Responsible Official

For Further Information, Contact:

US .Forest ServiceSeward Ranger District

Francisco B. SanchezSeward District Ranger29847 Seward HighwaySeward, Alaska 99664

Mike JohnsonSeward Ranger District29847 Seward HighwaySeward, Alaska 99664

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What action isproposed?

The Proposed Action is the mining plan of operations for the GoldDigger mining operation submitted by the claimant/operator. The planof operations proposes placer exploration on Quartz Creek.

Why? The Forest Service has a regulatory obligation to analyze proposedplans of operation (36 CFR §228.5). The Forest Sendee has received aproposed plan of operations on Quartz Creek.

What other actionwould meet the sameneed?

None

What would it mean tonot meet the need?

The Forest Service would not meet their regulatory obligation for planof operations approvals.

What factors will beused when making thedecision betweenalternatives?

The environmental assessment does not identify any significantenvironmental consequences of the Proposed Action. However, anyadverse environmental consequences of the Proposed Action areweighed against the benefit of having a long-term plan for placerexploration in the project area and the reduction in annualenvironmental analysis and administration.

Are there any ways tomitigate adverseeffects?

Modifications to the proposed mining plan of operations will bedeveloped to minimize any potential resources affected by the ProposedAction. The entire project area will be reclaimed and will return tonatural conditions upon expiration or termination of any resultingauthorization.

What monitoring isrequired?

The Forest Sendee will inspect operations regularly each year todetermine if the operator is in compliance with their approved miningplan of operations. The Forest Service will monitor for non-native plantspecies one year after implementation and periodically thereafter.

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IntroductionThe Forest Service has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with theNational Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws andregulations. This EA discloses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts thatwould result from the proposed action and any alternatives. It also provides the supportinginformation for a determination to prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

Additional documentation, including more detailed analyses of project-area resources, can berequested or found in the project planning record located at the Seward Ranger District, KenaiLake Work Center, Chugach National Forest.

BackgroundA request to approve a plan of operations was submitted for the Gold Digger mining operation,hereafter referred to as Gold Digger. This proposal requests a five year authorization forexploration on Quartz Creek.

LocationThe project area is the Gold Digger mining operation and the associated access route, and islocated adjacent to Quartz Creek. The legal land description is portions of Section 3, Township5 North, Range 2 West, Seward Meridian.

Forest Plan Management Area PrescriptionThe 2002 Chugach National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan)provides a framework that guides day-to-day resource management operations on the Forest.Part of Forest Plan direction consists of management area prescriptions (MAP) which providespecific direction for managing different geographic areas of the Forest.

The project area is located in the 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34 through 4-36).Backcountry management areas arc managed to provide a variety of habitats for fish and wildlifespecies and year-round recreational opportunities. Locatable mineral activities are allowed in theBackcountry MAP, provided they are consistent with the management intent.

Legal and Regulatory FrameworkMining claim holders on National Forest System lands have certain rights related to their claims.Mining claim holders generally have the right to:

(1) occupancy and use necessary for prospecting, mining, and processing;(2) reasonable access for purposes of prospecting, locating, and mining; and,(3) right to use timber from the claims for mining purposes and necessary clearing[FSM2813.13(b)andFSM2813.14]

Mining claimant rights are subject to applicable Federal and State laws and regulations;including 36 CFR 228 Subpart A and the 1955 Multiple Use Mining Act (30 U.S.C. 612). "[All]operations shall be conducted so as, where feasible, to minimize adverse environmental impactson National Forest surface resources" (36 CFR § 228.8). The 1955 Multiple Use Mining Actrestricts mining operators to using reasonable methods of surface disturbance that are appropriateto the stage of operation (FSH 2809.15, Section 10.1).

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Purpose and NeedThe purpose of this project is to respond to the Forest Service's regulatory obligation to process,and modify and/or approve the operator's proposed plan of operations (36 CFR §228.5). TheForest Service has a responsibility to approve or require modifications to the proposed plan ofoperations in accordance with federal mining and environmental laws.

Proposed ActionThe Proposed Action is the proposed plan of operations submitted for the Gold Digger operation.This proposal requests the approval of a five-year mining plan of operations for exploration onQuartz Creek.

Decision FrameworkThe Seward District Ranger is the authorized officer for this decision. This decision willdetermine under what terms and conditions the proposed plan of operations will be approved (36CFR §228.5).

Public InvolvementThe Forest Service placed legal notice in the Alaska Dispatch News on December 14, 2016, thenewspaper "of record for the Chugach National Forest, describing the proposed action andinitiating the 30-day comment period. This project has been listed on the Chugach NationalForest Schedule of Proposed Actions.

No comments or responses were received for this project.

IssuesNo significant issues have been identified by the interdisciplinary team for this proposal.

AlternativesThis section describes and compares the alternatives considered in this analysis. All alternativesare consistent with the Forest Plan and will not require a Forest Plan amendment. All applicablestandards and guidelines, and Best Management Practices (BMP) have been incorporated in thedesign of these alternatives.

Alternative 1 - No ActionThe No Action alternative is listed here as required by NEPA, the Forest Service has a regulatoryobligation to approve or require modifications to a proposed mining plan of operations (36 CFR§228.5). The No Action alternative is not discussed further in this document because it wouldresult in a violation of Forest Service responsibilities under 36 CFR §228.5. The "AffectedEnvironment" section for each resource provides a discussion of the existing condition of theproject area and serves for comparison between the Proposed Action and No Action Alternative.

Alternative 2 - Proposed ActionThe Proposed Action is the proposed plan of operations submitted for the Gold Digger operation.The Proposed Action is exploration on Quartz Creek and includes the following elements:

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• Removing trees and overburden from an approximately 200' x 250' area (about 1 acre)on the bench above Quartz Creek. Trees and overburden will be stockpiled forreclamation.

• Excavation of two settling ponds, approximately 75' x 75' for each pond.• Processing material with a trommel and small excavator, filling the excavated area back

in as operations move up the bench.

Access will be by:• Pickup on the existing Jerome Lake Road to the camp area• An existing access trail to the creek bench level

The following equipment is proposed for use in exploration and access:• Small dozer/backhoe• Skid-steer• 20' Trommel• Short term rental excavator• Pickup truck and camper• Storage trailer• ATVs

Applicable Forest Plan Direction and Forest Service PolicyThe Proposed Action incorporates the following Forest Plan direction, Best ManagementPractices, and Forest Service Policy• Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2509.22 - Soil and Water Conservation Handbook Sections

12 through 18.• Forest Plan Standards for Wildlife (Forest Plan 3-28 through 3-33)• Forest Plan Standards for Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive Plant Species (Forest Plan 3-

27)• Forest Plan Standards for Soils (Forest Plan 3-22 through 3-23)• Forest Plan Standards for Heritage Resources (Forest Plan 3-34)• 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34 through 4-36)• 512 Minerals Management Area (applied to approved mining plans of operations (Forest Plan

4-84))

Environmental ConsequencesThis section provides a summary of the environmental impacts under each alternative. Itdiscusses the effects relative to applicable physical, biological, and social environments withinthe project area. To address cumulative effects, the Forest Service examined the environmentalimpacts of each alternative in conjunction with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable futureactions. The discussions of resources and potential effects incorporate existing informationincluded in the Forest Plan, project specific resource reports and related information, and othersources as indicated. The planning record for this analysis contains these resource sources ofinformation as well as results of any field investigations. The planning record is located at theSeward Ranger District, Kcnai Lake Work Center, Chugach National Forest, in Moose Pass,

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Alaska, and is available for review during regular business hours. Information from the planningrecord is also available upon request.

Wildlife Resources

Affected Environment - HabitatThe project area was surveyed by a Forest Service wildlife biologist.Threatened and Endangered Species (TES)No threatened, endangered, candidate, or sensitive species or their habitats occur in the projectarea.

Management Indicator SpeciesThe project may cause some disturbance to individual management indicator species due tomining operation noise.

Species of Special InterestThe project may cause some disturbance to individual management indicator species due tomining operation noise.

Migratory BirdsThe project may have some minor short term impacts on reproduction to individual migratorybirds. Cumulative effects are expected to be minor due to the small scale of this project.

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 2 - Proposed ActionThe Proposed Action will primarily result in seasonal disturbance to wildlife in the project areafrom noise and mining activities. It is expected that wildlife utilizing habitat near the projectarea would continue to avoid the use of the project area as potential or existing habitat whenmining activity is occurring.

The mining activity proposed under Alternative 2 is not expected to be continuous or result inwildlife avoiding the project area permanently. The project area is not considered critical habitator a travel or migration corridor for any of the species and is not expected to cause meaningfuleffect on any species population viability either generally or locally because of the small size ofthe project area relative to the size of the existing intact habitat for these species.

Alternative 2 — Findings for Wildlife ResourcesThe proposed plan of operation is not likely to have an adverse effect on vertebrate endangered,threatened, or endangered species or their habitats.

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Ecology Resources

Affected Environment

A pre-field review of existing information concerning sensitive plant species was conducted forthe project area. This review included the Regional Forester's Sensitive Species List, AlaskaNatural Heritage Program data base records, botanical literature, and consultation with theAlaska Regional Botanist and Forest Ecologist.

There are no previously documented sightings of sensitive plants in or near the project area.

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 2 - Proposed ActionIn the event that sensitive plants are located within an area where mining operations are intensiveenough to cause ground disturbance, they may be destroyed. The most likely plants to exist nearthe project area are Piperia unalascensis and Romanzoffia unalaschcensis.

Alternative 2: Findings for Ecology ResourcesThe Proposed Action may adversely impact individuals, but is not likely to result in a loss ofviability in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing and will not likely result indirect, indirect, or cumulative impacts to sensitive plants because they are unlikely to exist in theproject area.

Aquatics Resources

Affected Environment

No activities are proposed in the stream channel.

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 2 — Proposed ActionThis mining plan of operation will have no effect to management indicator species such as DollyVarden or anadromous species since to activities within the stream channel are proposed.

Executive Order 12962 (Recreational Fisheries)No adverse effects to recreational fisheries on Quartz Creek are anticipated.

Magmtson Stevens ActThe Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (the Act) requires that all federal agenciesconsult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) when any project "may adverselyaffect" essential fish habitat (EFH). It has been determined that this request for a mining plan ofoperations will not cause any action that may adversely affect essential fish habitat as defined bythe Act.

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Floodplain Management (E.O. 11988), Protection of Wetlands (E.O. 11990This activity is not located within a floodplain as defined by Executive Order 11988, and thereare no wetlands in the project area as defined in Executive Order 11990. Therefore, there will beno effects to flood plains.

Alternative 2 — Findings for Fisheries ResourcesThe Proposed Action will not result in direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to aquatic resourcesbecause no activities within the stream channel are proposed.

Chugach Land and Resource Management Plan 2002, (Forest Plan)The project area is located in the 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34 through 4-36).Backcountry management areas are managed to provide a variety of habitats for fish and wildlifespecies and year-round recreational opportunities.

Heritage Resources

Affected EnvironmentAll activities proposed for the operation were reviewed along with previous surveys of theoperation area and known historic resources in the area. There are no new activities occurringand no known sites within the area of potential effect (APE) of the proposed activities.

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 2-Proposed ActionThe Proposed Action is not expected to have any adverse impacts to heritage resources becausethere are no known sites within the APE of the proposed activities.

Alternative 2-Findings for Heritage ResourcesThe Proposed Action will not result in direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to historicproperties because no known heritage resources exist in the project area.

Recommended Modifications to Mining Plan of OperationsThe following modifications to the proposed plan of operations are recommended to minimizeadverse environmental consequences associated with the Proposed Action.

• Food, fuel, and garbage should be stored in bear proof containers.• All garbage should be removed regularly (weekly) from the site.• If any new historic features or artifacts arc discovered during operations, they must be

left in place and the Minerals Administrator will be contacted for further instruction.• If any eagle or goshawk nests are discoved near the operation area, the Minerals

Administrator will be contacted for further instruction.• To reduce impacts to migratory birds and raptors and comply with the Migratory Bird

Treaty Act, avoid vegetation clearing or access route brushing during the breeding seasonof migratory birds, May 1 - July 15, when practicable.

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Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations

National Forest Management Act - The proposed action is consistent with the Forest Plan, andall proposed activities are allowable under the 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34through 4-36).

Endangered Species Act ~ Biological evaluations were completed for threatened andendangered species. No threatened or endangered species would be affected by the actionalternatives.

Bald Eagle Protection Act - Management activities within bald eagle habitat will be inaccordance to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Forest Service and the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service. No bald eagle nests are known in the project area.

ANILCA Section 810, Subsistence Evaluation and Finding - There is no documented orreported subsistence use that would be restricted by any of the action alternatives; none of thealternatives would result in a significant possibility of a restriction of subsistence use of wildlife,fish, or other foods.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 - Section 106 of the National Historic PreservationAct requires that all federal undertakings follow the regulations found at 36 CFR §800 to identifyand protect cultural resources that are within the project areas and which may be effected byprojects. The Programmatic Agreement between the Chugach National Forest, the AdvisoryCouncil on Historic Preservation, and the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)regarding management of the project area will be followed.

Executive Order 12898 - Environmental Justice - Implementation of this project is notanticipated to cause disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effect to minorityor low-income populations because the proposed activities are not expected to cause any affectsto human health or result in meaningful adverse environmental consequences.

Clean Air Act — Emissions anticipated from the implementation of the Proposed Action wouldbe of short duration and would not be expected to exceed State of Alaska ambient air qualitystandards (18 AAC 50).

Executive Order 13112 - Invasive Species - Invasive species populations have the potential tospread in the project area; monitoring will be required to reduce this potential and to determineeffectiveness.

Executive Order 11988 - Floodplain Management and Executive Order 11990 - Protectionof Wetlands - The project area is not located within a floodplain as defined by Executive Order11988 and there will be no effect to wetlands as defined in Executive Order 11990.

Inventoried Roadless Areas - This project is located within an inventoried roadless area. It wasdetermined the exploration falls under the Genera] Mining Act of 1872 and the proposedactivities would be allowed under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule because "the

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cutting, sale, and removal of timber is incidental to the implementation of a management nototherwise prohibited" by the rule (36 CFR294.13(b)(2)) and because cutting of trees is needed"pursuant to reserved or outstanding rights, or as provided for by statute or treaty" (36 CFR294.12(b)(3)).

Executive Order 12962 - Recreational Fisheries - Federal agencies are required, to the extentpermitted by law and where practicable, and in cooperation with States and Tribes, to improvethe quantity, function, sustainable productivity, and distribution of U. S. aquatic resources forincreased recreational fishing opportunities. As required by this Order, the effects of this actionon aquatic systems and recreational fisheries have been evaluated and the effects relative to thepurpose of this order have been documented. No impact to recreational fisheries is expectedfrom the proposed project.

Magnus on-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Public Law 94-265 -Thisproject is not expected to result in any adverse effects to essential fisheries habitat as defined inthe Magnuson-Stevens Act because it has been determined that this activity, individually, willnot cause any action that may adversely affect essential fish habitat as defined by the Act.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

The Forest Service consulted an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists in the developmentof this environmental analysis. The Forest Service has also placed a legal notice describing theproposed action and soliciting comments in the Alaska Dispatch News on December 14, 2016.This project has been listed on the Chugach National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions. Nocomments or responses were received.

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