Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Lead Agency: Washington State Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Resources Program October 29, 2004 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement – Proposed Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Fact sheet – Project Title: Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Reserves Program Project Description: The purpose of this action is to adopt and implement appropriate management strategies for state-owned aquatic lands at the Maury Island site, which includes Quartermaster Harbor and the eastern shoreline of Maury Island. Maury Island is in King County, Township 21 North, Range 02 East and 03 East, and Township 22 North, Range 02 East and 03 East. This non-project Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement provides an opportunity for the public and private sector, affected tribes, and agencies with jurisdiction, expertise, and interest to review and comment on the proposed action by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to implement appropriate management strategies for the Maury Island site. This document analyzes reasonable alternatives, the probable significant adverse and beneficial environmental impacts of the alternatives, and their relation to existing policies, rules, and regulations. The Aquatic Reserves Program Guidance Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued on September 6, 2002 to define criteria for establishing an aquatic reserve. The Maury Island Aquatic Reserve SEIS implements the guidance. Copies of the programmatic FEIS are available for review through either the SEPA Center or the Aquatic Resources Division, Washington Department of Natural Resources, 1111 St. SE, Olympia, Washington, or the State Library. The alternatives evaluated under this Final SEIS include: Alternative 1 – Environmental Aquatic Reserve at the Maury Island Site. The preferred alternative is to establish boundaries for the Maury Island site and manage the area as an environmental aquatic reserve. This would include the development of the following site- specific components: a. Management plan b. Reserve boundary Alternative 2 – Repeal the Reserve at the Maury Island Site. This alternative would repeal the existing reserve designation at the Maury Island site and return the state-owned aquatic lands to general leasing status. Alternative 3 – No Action. This alternative would continue to manage the Maury Island site as a withdrawn area and aquatic reserve as established in 2000. Management of the area would be based on the general management strategies presented in the Non-Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS): Aquatic Reserve Program Guidance (DNR 2002). Washington State Department of Natural Resources - Aquatic Resources Program Page i Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement – Proposed Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Project Proponent: Washington Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Program. Lead Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Resources Program 1111 Washington Street SE P.O. Box 47027 Olympia, WA 98504-7027 Responsible Official: Loren Stern, Manager Aquatic Resources Division 1111 Washington Street SE P.O. Box 47027 Olympia, WA 98504-7027 Technical Contact Person: David Palazzi, Environmental Planner Aquatic Resources Division 1111 Washington Street SE P.O. Box 47027 Olympia, WA 98504-7027 SEPA Contact Person: Jenifer Gitchell SEPA Center 1111 Washington Street SE P.O. Box 47015 Olympia, WA 98504-7015 [email protected] Licenses Required: Licenses are not required for this proposal. Authors and Principal Contributors: Principle Authors: David Palazzi, Marc Daily, Jay Udelhoven, and Philip Bloch Contributors: Carol Cloen and Aquatic Region staff Date of Issuance of Draft SEIS: July 13, 2004 Public Comment Deadline: August 27, 2004 Public Hearing: August 10, 2004 McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room 9329 SW Cemetery Road - Vashon Island, WA 98070-6105 Date of Issuance of Final SEIS: October 29, 2004 Proposed Final Action Date: November 2004 Subsequent Environmental Review: None anticipated Washington State Department of Natural Resources - Aquatic Resources Program Page ii Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement – Proposed Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Location of Reference Material: Natural Resources Building at address below: Aquatic Resources Division 1111 Washington Street, SE P.O. Box 47027 Olympia, WA 98504-7027 Availability: Digital copies of the Final SEIS are available at the Washington Department of Natural Resources’ web site at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/aqr/reserves/home.htm. Single copies, CD ROM versions, and supporting documentation are available from the Department. Hardcopies of the Final SEIS are provided free to the public until the initially printed copies run out. After that, charges will be assessed for the costs of copying. Free copies and color versions of the maps are also available on-line at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/aqr/reserves/home.htm Washington State Department of Natural Resources - Aquatic Resources Program Page iii Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement – Proposed Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Table of Contents List of Acronyms ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------viii 1.0 Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 1.1 Organization of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement --------------------- 1 1.2 Proposed Action – Purpose, Objectives, and Need ------------------------------------------ 2 1.3 Alternatives ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 1.4 Affected Environment ---------------------------------------------------------------------------3 1.4.1 Earth ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 1.4.2 Air -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 1.4.3 Water Resources ---------------------------------------------------------------------------4 1.4.4 Plant and Animal Resources ------------------------------------------------------------- 4 1.4.5 Energy and Natural Resources ----------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.4.6 Environmental Health --------------------------------------------------------------------5 1.4.7 Land and Shoreline Use ------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 1.4.8 Transportation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.4.9 Public Services and Utilities ------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.5 Impact Analysis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 2.0 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 2.1 Purpose and Objectives of the Proposed Action --------------------------------------------- 8 2.2 Need for the Proposed Action ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 2.3 Legislative Authority and Mandate ------------------------------------------------------------ 9 2.4 Relationship to Tribal Authorities ------------------------------------------------------------10 3.0 Alternatives --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11 3.1 Alternative Formulation and Objectives -----------------------------------------------------11 3.2 Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) ---------------------------------------------------------11 3.2.1 Aquatic Reserve Boundary --------------------------------------------------------------13 3.2.2 Goals and Objectives --------------------------------------------------------------------16 3.2.3 Management Plan Provisions -----------------------------------------------------------19 3.2.3.1 Research and Monitoring ----------------------------------------------------------20 3.2.3.2 Management Guidance for Existing and Future Use Authorizations --------20 3.2.3.3 DNR Led and Partnering Activities ----------------------------------------------28 3.2.3.4 Private and Public Lands Adjacent to the Aquatic Reserve -------------------29 3.2.4 Commissioner’s Order -------------------------------------------------------------------30 3.2.5 Program Implementation ----------------------------------------------------------------30 3.3 Alternative 2 (Repeal the Reserve) -----------------------------------------------------------31 3.3.1 Aquatic Reserve Boundary --------------------------------------------------------------31 3.3.2 Goals and Objectives --------------------------------------------------------------------31 3.3.3 Management Plan Provisions -----------------------------------------------------------31 3.3.3.1 Research and Monitoring ----------------------------------------------------------32 3.3.3.2 Management Guidance for Existing and Future Use Authorizations --------32 3.3.3.3 DNR Led and Partnering Activities ----------------------------------------------32 3.3.3.4 Private and Public Land Adjacent to the Aquatic Reserve --------------------33 3.3.4 Commissioner’s Order -------------------------------------------------------------------33 3.3.5 Program Implementation ----------------------------------------------------------------33 3.4 Alternative 3 (No Action) ----------------------------------------------------------------------33