Environmental Assessment

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction

May 2021

Prepared by

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Fairbanks, AK

Estimated Lead Agency Total Costs Associated with Developing and Producing This Environmental Assessment: $1,500 EA Template Table of Contents PROPOSED ACTION 3 BACKGROUND 3 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE ACTION 5 ALTERNATIVES 7

ALTERNATIVE A – [NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE] 8 ALTERNATIVE B 8 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 7 SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS 18

ALTERNATIVE A – [NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE] 18 ALTERNATIVE B 18 LIST OF SOURCES, AGENCIES AND PERSONS CONSULTED 19 LIST OF PREPARERS 19 STATE COORDINATION 19 TRIBAL CONSULTATION 19 PUBLIC OUTREACH 19 DETERMINATION 20 SIGNATURES 20 REFERENCES 21

2 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction Environmental Assessment for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge bunkhouse construction at Galbraith Lake, AK

Date: May 7, 2021 This Draft Environmental Assessment is being prepared to evaluate the effects associated with the proposed action and complies with the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1509) and Department of the Interior (43 CFR 46; 516 DM 8) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (550 FW 3) regulations and policies. The National Environmental Policy Act requires examination of the effects of proposed actions on the natural and human environment (see Appendix A for relevant Laws and Orders).

Proposed Action The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to construct a new bunkhouse and vault toilet facility on a BLM lease space at the Galbraith Lake Airport. This building would serve as a bunkhouse, providing temporary housing for up to 8-10 persons consistent with the Arctic Refuge CCP (2015) (2.4.21.2) for the use and occupancy of administrative cabins. A proposed action may evolve during the NEPA process as the agency refines its proposal and gathers feedback from the public. Therefore, the final proposed action may be different from the original. The proposed action will be finalized at the conclusion of the public comment period for the EA.

Background National Wildlife Refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), the purposes of an individual refuge, Service policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. The mission of the NWRS, as outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), is “... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans”

3 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction Additionally, the NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the NWRS (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(4)) to: • Provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats within the NWRS; • Ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the NWRS are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans; • Ensure that the mission of the NWRS described at 16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(2) and the purposes of each refuge are carried out; • Ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining refuges and the fish and wildlife agency of the states in which the units of the NWRS are located; • Assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the mission of the NWRS and the purposes of each refuge; • Recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public uses of the NWRS through which the American public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife; • Ensure that opportunities are provided within the NWRS for compatible wildlife- dependent recreational uses; and • Monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge.

The Arctic National Wildlife Range (Arctic Range, Range) was created in 1960 by Public Land Order (PLO) 2214 to “to preserve unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values” within the Range.

In 1980, The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) re-designated the Range as part of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and provided four purposes that guide management of the entire Refuge. Section 303(2)(B) of ANILCA set forth the following purposes for Arctic Refuge. ( i) to conserve fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity including, but not limited to, the Porcupine caribou herd (including participation in coordinating the Western Arctic caribou herd, polar bears, grizzly bears, musk ox, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines, snow geese, peregrine falcons and other migratory birds, and Arctic char and grayling.

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(ii) to fulfill the international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats.

(iii) to provide, in a manner consistent with the purposes set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), the opportunity for continued subsistence uses by local residents.

(iv) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner consistent with the purposes set forth in paragraph (i), water quality and necessary water quantity within the Refuge.

The Tax Act of 2017 added a 5th purpose to include an Oil and Gas program. This Act orders the Secretary of the Interior to establish an oil and gas plan for the Coastal Plain and required that two lease sales occur within 10 years of the passage of the Act.

ANILCA section 702(3) also designated 7.16 million acres of the Refuge as Wilderness. The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wildlife Preservation System and prescribed policy for management of designated Wilderness areas. The purposes of the Wilderness Act are within and supplemental to the purposes of the Refuge, subject to the exceptions found in ANILCA.

ANILCA Sections 602(39)(42)(43) and 605(a) designated those portions of the Ivishak, Sheenjek, and Wind rivers within the boundaries of the Refuge as wild rivers pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended by ANILCA Section 606. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 established the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and designated certain rivers as wild, scenic, or recreational.

Purpose and Need for the Action The purpose of this proposed action is the construct a new bunkhouse/rest room facility at Galbraith Lake. The existing bunkhouse is a small (sub 600 ft²), single room building with two small bedrooms that are a recent addition. The facility functions predominantly as a bunkhouse and work station for field crews working on the North Slope or in the Brooks Range. The small size of the existing building and lack of restroom facilities greatly limits the effectiveness of the bunkhouse for consistent and longer term use. The existing building also has unreliable power availability that adds to the challenges of using the facility year round. A larger and more

5 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction modern facility would greatly benefit Refuge operations along the Dalton Highway, the North Slope and the Brooks Range. Other conservation partners such as the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and United States Forest Service (USFS) would also benefit from this enhanced facility as a base of operations. The entire new bunkhouse total footprint would be approximately 2000 ft², built directly east of the existing bunkhouse (See Figure 1), include a new vault toilet and relocated fuel tank that will impact less than ¼ acres. The purpose of the facility would be to provide transient housing for Refuge staff and conservation partners.

Figure 1: New Bunkhouse site map

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Figure 2: Existing bunkhouse and gravel pad

Figure 3: Rear of bunkhouse, fuel tank and gravel fill above existing tundra

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Alternatives Alternative A – No Action Alternative Under the “no action” alternative, no new building would be constructed. The existing bunkhouse would continue to be used periodically throughout the year with most use occurring in the summer months. The bunkhouse would remain a modest sized facility with 2 independent sleeping rooms lacking a reliable and dedicated power source and a restroom facility. Occasional updates, renovations and any necessary safety improvements would be made to the cabin when warranted, but no significant renovations would occur. The designated construction site for a new facility on the southern edge of the airport/tarmac area would remain unencumbered.

Alternative B – Construct Bunkhouse (Preferred Alternative) Under the Proposed Action Alternative, the Service’s preferred alternative – a new bunkhouse would be constructed within the expanded lease area directly east of the existing bunkhouse (see Figure 1). Included in this construction project would be a vault toilet and a dedicated power supply source from a generator. The main building would be a 28’x 50’ 1400 ft² multi- room bunkhouse facility with attached storage shed and new vault toilet. The existing aviation fuel tank will be relocated to a new position and aircraft tie-downs will be installed. The existing bunkhouse would be excessed to another Federal agency.

Best Management Practices would be implemented during construction. Any environmental contamination control plans required for construction would be implemented for compliance with authorities having jurisdiction, including federal, state, and local regulations. Special circumstances associated with this project include: • This project is being built on an already disturbed site on the Galbraith Lake tarmac and aircraft parking area. The site includes over 5’ of gravel fill above the existing tundra. • The project includes a greywater storage system that will be permitted through the State DEC.

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Alternative(s) Considered, But Dismissed From Further Consideration We considered an alternative of remodeling the existing administrative cabin, adding additional space and developing an upgraded power supply. We determined that this was not a viable alternative due to the condition of the existing structure, the extensive construction work that would be necessary, the need for improved overnight facilities to support priority Refuge projects and the need for a dedicated restroom facility.

Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Arctic National Wildlife Refuge The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is approximately 19.62 million acres in the far northeast corner of Alaska. It is the nation’s largest National Wildlife Refuge as well as the largest conservation unit. The Refuge encompasses several ecotypes including boreal forest habitats to the south, the Brooks Range extending west to east across the center of the Refuge and the arctic coastal plain, barrier islands and coastal lagoons of the North Slope. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) corridor runs near the Refuge’s western boundary in the Atigun Pass/Galbraith Lake vicinity. The eastern boundary of the Refuge is the Canadian border.

For more information on the general characteristics of the refuge’s environment, please see Chapter 4 of the Refuge’s 2015 Revised CCP, which can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/home/arctic-ccp/

This project under the preferred alternative to build an administrative non-public use cabin, is planned for a location that is off refuge and in an area that is already impacted by the presence of a mile long airstrip, a small scale airport facility, secondary access road, the Dalton Highway and the TAPS. Therefore the following resources either (1) do not exist within the project area or (2) would either not be affected or only negligibly affected by the proposed action • Wildlife and habitat resources of the Arctic NWR • Wilderness values of the Arctic NWR • Wild and Scenic Rivers on Arctic NWR • Subsistence access • Environmental Justice • Water quality and quantity

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As such, these resources are not further analyzed in this EA.

Affected Environment The proposed building site is directly adjacent to the existing cabin/bunkhouse on the southern edge of the Galbraith Lake airport. The area has been completely filled and leveled into a gravel pad (roughly 4-5’ deep) above the surrounding permafrost to facilitate all weather access and plane ingress and egress to airport facilities. See Figure 1 for construction site layout and Figures 2 and 3 for pictures of the proposed building site.

Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions There are no known environmental trends or planned actions for at this immediate location. The following is a brief description of the area and the current level of activity relating to the Dalton Highway. The construction site is located about 1 mile north and west of Galbraith Lake. Galbraith Lake is located in the North Slope Borough of Alaska, United States. The surrounding area is uninhabited except for seasonal residents working along the TAPS or at the Toolik Research Station 9 miles north of the Lake. The lake is located on the west side of the Dalton Highway between miles 272-75 of the highway. The lake is approximately 3.6 mi (5.8 km) long and was formed by glaciers, and is known to contain lake trout, burbot and grayling. The adjacent mountains of the Brooks Range are home to Dall Sheep, brown bear, caribou, and a variety of raptors. The Brooks Range give way to the foothills of the Arctic Coastal Plain and provide additional unique habitats for caribou, brown bear and numerous water obligate species such as loons, geese and shorebirds (see 2015 CCP Appendix F for full Arctic Refuge Species List, https://www.fws.gov/home/arctic- ccp/pdfs/07_AppF_Species.pdf). Galbraith Lake airstrip and airport is located on the west shore of the Lake. Pump Station 4 of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is within view from the Galbraith Lake Airport as is the Trans Alaskan Pipeline. A BLM campground is also located near the lake to the south of the airport facilities.

Impacts on Affected Resource Alternative A There are no known or anticipated impacts on affected resources in the No Action Alternative A. The existing facility will still be available for short term use by Refuge personnel and cooperating agencies and organizations working in the western Brooks Range.

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Alternative B There are no known or anticipated impacts on affected resources in the Preferred Alternative B. The new facility will be made available for temporary short term use by Refuge personnel and cooperating agencies and organizations working in the western Brooks Range. The primary season of use would be during the summer months of June through August, although some occasional use would occur outside those core months. The construction and subsequent occupancy of this bunkhouse should have no or minimal and short duration affects to Refuge resources. Construction is expected to take 2 to 3 months in the summer of 2021.

Threatened and Endangered Species, and Other Special Status Species Affected Environment There are no known T&E species in the general area of Galbraith Lake/Atigun Pass in Alaska. There is no designated critical habitat for T&E species according to the online mapping resource found at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/index. Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions With the low presence of T&E species at this location and the generally minor impacts that the proposed action will have at the Galbraith Lake airport, we anticipate no additional threats or negative trends for T&E species and associated habitats. Impacts on Affected Resource Since no T&E species or critical habitat were identified in the area of the project, no further consultation was necessary.

Alternative A The no action alternative will have no impact to Threatened or Endangered Species or any other special status species. Alternative B The planned construction of bunkhouse will have no impact to Threatened or Endangered Species or any other special status species.

11 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction Geology and Soils Affected Environment The proposed building site is directly adjacent to the existing cabin/bunkhouse on the southern edge of the Galbraith Lake airport. The area has been filled and leveled into a gravel pad (roughly 4’ - 5’ deep) above the surrounding permafrost to facilitate all weather access and plane ingress and egress to airport facilities.

Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions The planned action will generally have minimal impact on the geology and soils. The planned construction site has been converted from natural tundra habitats with underlying permafrost to a leveled gravel pad for aircraft and vehicle use. The bunkhouse and vault toilet facilities will predominantly be constructed on a post and pad foundation on top of the existing gravel pad and the surface will not be penetrated. The exception is the installation of the grey water tank for the bunkhouse and the vault toilet sewage tank which will both be buried into the gravel pad substrate, but will not penetrate the tundra permafrost layer.

Impacts on Affected Resources Since the areas geology and soils have already been substantially impacted by the fill applied to the airport/ramp area, any additional effects to the resource from the construction of the bunkhouse will be negligible.

Alternative A The no action alternative will have no impact to geology and/or soils resources to the Refuge or the impacted site of Refuge at the Galbraith Lake airport.

Alternative B This alternative calls for the construction of a new bunkhouse facility which is anticipated to have minimal and temporary impacts to soils resources. Geology and/or soils impacts will be limited to the Galbraith Lake airport site (estimating no more than 15,000 ft² impacted), and no direct impacts will be experienced on Refuge lands and resources.

12 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction Air Quality Affected Environment The air quality near the planned building site can be expected to be good to pristine. The possible human related impacts to air quality in the vicinity would include dust from the Dalton Highway traffic and some emissions from power generation at the Galbraith Lake airport, Toolik Research Station, TAPS Pump Station 4 and emissions from Dalton Highway vehicle traffic.

Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions The nearest air quality information for the Galbraith Lake area is from the Toolik Research Station 9 miles to the north of the construction site. The following site: https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/mAQI/a10/cC0&select=26423#6.46/68.721/-148.559 provides near real time air quality information and status relating to human health and safety. At the time of the writing of this EA, air quality was considered as “satisfactory” and had an AQI score of 0. Air quality index (AQI) is a number used by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. As a point of comparison, for the same date and time, downtown Anchorage had API scores ranging from 2 to 77.

Impacts on Affected Resource

Alternative A The no action alternative will have no impact to Threatened or Endangered Species or any other special status species.

Alternative B The preferred alternative may have low and temporary impacts to air quality during the construction phase due to increased traffic and heavy equipment work at the site. That said, this area is near an active gravel pit that receives heavy equipment traffic regularly so the overall impacts will be negligible. The new bunkhouse facility currently plans to use an onsite diesel generator for facility power supply. The generator will only be in use while the bunkhouse is occupied which will be temporary and short term. The increased emissions from the generator should have minimal and temporary impacts to air quality. Furthermore, there is a much larger and continuously running generator less than a ¼ mile north of the USFWS that powers the airport and runway lights. The overall impacts to air quality will be low and temporary and negligible.

13 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction Visitor Use and Experience Affected Environment This general area around Galbraith Lake, Atigun Pass, Atigun River/Gorge and along the Dalton Highway receive a relatively high amount of visitor use compared to other locations in northern Alaska. Visitation includes sightseeing, hiking, river floating, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. There are improvements and facilities in the nearby area including a BLM campground and a river access site on the Atigun River that facilitate increased visitation.

Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions There is no known planned actions relating to visitor uses in this area. In general, it is believed that visitation has increased in recent years and may continue to increase for both consumptive and non-consumptive visitor uses along the Dalton Highway corridor.

Impacts on Affected Resource Alternative A The no action alternative will have no impact to visitor use and experience.

Alternative B The preferred alternative will have no impact to visitor use and experience. The new facility is being designed to have minimal impact to visual resources by using earth tone finishes. The building will also be located near other larger facilities so most visitors will not detect the additional new building at the airport. The facility is an administrative facility, which is not open for public use, interpretation or visitor contact. The likely increased use by Refuge staff should be negligible to the visiting public and the location is off of the main travel corridor of the Dalton Hwy. Based on previous use of the existing facility by Refuge staff and cooperators, we would expect no more than 4-6 weeks of use annually for the new facility.

Cultural Resources Affected Environment Description of Affected Environment for the Affected Resource The general vicinity that the action alternative would occur in has been significantly altered over the past 40 – 50 years through construction of roads, bridges, pipelines, airstrip, airport and other buildings. There are no visible or apparent cultural resources in the immediate area. Subsistence access is another cultural resource consideration for this area. In general,

14 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction subsistence use would be considered infrequent around the Galbraith Lake/Atigun Pass area. The closest rural community is Wiseman, AK. Although residents may make occasional visits to Galbraith Lake and further north, the use would be considered light overall. Other rural communities such as Arctic Village, Anaktuvuk Pass and Nuiqsut may access where the Brooks Range gives way to the Coastal Plain, but expensive air travel and lack of efficient boat, snow machine or vehicle travel make it highly unlikely. Residents from those communities access this area for subsistence uses.

Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions Refuge staff consulted with Regional Archeology Specialist on Section 106 compliance. It was determined that there are no known cultural resource sites within one-half-mile from the project area.

Impacts on Affected Resource Alternative A The no action alternative will have no impact to cultural resources.

Alternative B The preferred alternative will have no impact to cultural resources, including access for subsistence purposes. See above determination by USFWS Cultural Resource Specialists. In the unlikely event that any cultural resources are encountered during the excavation activity for this project, all work in the vicinity of the find shall cease. The find shall be protected, and the RHPO contacted for further instructions. Other than that, the project can proceed as described.

Refuge Management and Operations Land Use on the Refuge

Affected Environment Description of Affected Environment for the Affected Resource The location of this facility provides strategic advantage for supporting administrative and management functions for the Refuge. The site is accessible both by aircraft and by vehicle and provides logistical access to both Coastal Plain and Brooks Range habitats north of the Continental Divide and Brooks Range and boreal forest habitats south of the Divide.

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Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions With the passage of the 2017 Tax Act which opened the Arctic Coastal Plain to a competitive Oil and Gas program, the need for additional study and monitoring of the areas wildlife and habitat resources has greatly increased. Commensurate with an increased scientific investigation need, there is a need to provide logistical support for those personnel and cooperators that will be conducting the work. This location will see increased use and activity in the foreseeable future. Impacts on Affected Resource Alternative A Under the no action alternative, the existing facility will continue to be available for use by Refuge staff and cooperators. This may lead to overuse and will fail to meet the basic logistical support needs that can be anticipated with the Oil and Gas activities on the Coastal Plain. Operational adjustments will need to be evaluated, planned for and implemented to find alternative logistical support options for Brooks Range/North Slope operations.

Alternative B The preferred alternative would be to construct a larger and full service bunkhouse facility including the installation of a nearby vault toilet. Both these additions will enhance the ability for Refuge administrators to better plan and execute field operations in support of priority Refuge management needs and scientific investigations.

Administration Affected Environment Description of Affected Environment for the Affected Resource The location of this facility provides strategic advantage for supporting administrative and management functions for the Refuge. The site is accessible by aircraft and vehicle, providing logistical access to the Coastal Plain, Brooks Range habitats north of the Continental Divide, and Brooks Range and boreal forest habitats south of the Divide.

Description of Environmental Trends and Planned Actions With the passage of the 2017 Tax Act, which opened the Arctic Coastal Plain to a competitive Oil and Gas program, the need for additional study and monitoring of the areas wildlife and habitat resources has greatly increased. Commensurate with an increased scientific investigation need, there is a need to provide logistical support for personnel and cooperators that will be conducting the work. This location will see increased use and activity in the foreseeable future.

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Impacts on Affected Resource Alternative A Under the no action alternative, the existing facility will continue to be available for use by Refuge staff and cooperators. This may lead to overuse and will fail to meet the basic logistical support needs that can be anticipated with the Oil and Gas activities on the Coastal Plain. Administrative adjustments will need to be evaluated, planned for and implemented to find alternative logistical support options for Brooks Range/North Slope operations.

Alternative B This action would include the construction of a larger bunkhouse facility and installation of a nearby vault toilet. Both these additions will enhance the ability for Refuge administrators to better plan and execute field operations in support of Refuge management needs and scientific investigations.

Socioeconomics Local and Regional Economies Affected Environment Galbraith Lake is in the North Slope Borough census area. During the 2010 census (2020 data not yet available) the borough reported a population of 9,430 persons. However, the great majority of population lives in the community of Utqiagvik, AK, far to the northwest of the project and in Deadhorse, 150 miles north on the Dalton Highway. There is no nearby community that would best describe the demographics or Socio-economics of this site. The area only has a transient and temporary workforce with no full time residents near (<75 miles) the proposed building site. Toolik Research Station to the north hosts a seasonal workforce during the summer months. Pump Station 4 of the TAPS is roughly 5 miles to the south of the site. Pump Station 4 operates year round with a transient work force. The community of Coldfoot is roughly 75 miles south of Galbraith Lake on the Dalton Hwy and represents the nearest center of economic activity that may be affected by the proposed action. Impacts on Affected Resource

Alternative A Under the no action alternative, there are no anticipated impacts to the local and/or regional economies. There will be no increased construction activities nor additional visits by Refuge staff. The remote location and distance to nearest services greatly mitigate the sites impacts to local and regional economies.

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Alternative B Under the action alternative, there is anticipated short term increases for regional economies due to the contract services for bunkhouse construction. With the anticipated increased traffic from Fairbanks to the Galbraith Lake facility, it can be assumed that there will be minor seasonal increases in economic activity at Coldfoot, AK for fuel and food services. Once construction has been completed, any anticipated economic impacts will be minor and seasonal in timing.

Summary of Analysis Alternative A – No Action Alternative As described above, the No Action Alternative declining construction of a new bunkhouse/vault toilet facility and continued use of the existing cabin at Galbraith Lake would have zero to minimal environmental consequences. It would not fulfill the described purpose and need for enhanced logistics support for Coastal Plain Refuge operations. The Service would not construct a larger facility with additional amenities that would support biological, management, visitor services and law enforcement activities in the Northern reaches of the Refuge. This would increase operational and logistical planning needs and increase the potential for overuse and further degrade the existing facility increasing maintenance costs.

Alternative B – Construct Bunkhouse at Galbraith Lake, AK – [Proposed Action Alternative] As described above, the planned construction of a new bunkhouse at Galbraith Lake will have little direct impacts on Refuge resources and values. The construction is planned for an area that is not on or directly adjacent to Refuge lands. The site selected for the bunkhouse is on an already existing gravel pad that is associated with Galbraith Lake, therefore no additional habitat disturbance is expected. There are no known Threatened or Endangered Species in the affected area and other wildlife impacts are anticipated to be negligible. The expected impacts to air quality, public use and visitation, geology and soils would be minimal and in most cases temporary and short in duration (< 3 months). The area is surrounded by federal lands that would be open for subsistence access and use, but the construction and future use of the bunkhouse would have no direct or indirect impacts to subsistence by rural residents. The construction of this bunkhouse would offer administrative and operational efficiencies for conducting priority work on the Arctic Coastal Plain and in the Brooks Range. With the new

18 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction purpose for an Oil and Gas program on the Coastal Plain, it is expected that there will be an increasing need to inventory, monitor and study Refuge resources that may be impacted by program activities. The bunkhouse would support Refuge staff and cooperating agencies and organizations for science support, visitor use and public lands management and operations.

List of Sources, Agencies and Persons Consulted The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the permitting agency at this location and has been consulted with, and there is continued engagement with the agency during the permit process.

List of Preparers Nathan Hawkaluk – Deputy Refuge Manager, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Myra Harris – Planning Specialist, Alaska Region USFWS

State Coordination The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) were consulted during the planning.

Tribal Consultation There are no affected Tribal entities in the nearby area.

Public Outreach The project was formally discussed with BLM, Alaska DEC, Alaska DOT, the primary agencies that have a role in permitting aspects of this project. No formal pre-planning notices were offered to affected communities because there are none. The nearest community is Wiseman nearly 80 miles to the south, Coldfoot, 20 miles south of Wiseman and Deadhorse, which is 150 miles to the north. Notices of the availability of this EA will be posted in Coldfoot, AK at the local gas station/restaurant where a great majority of local and non-local travelers pass through. The Arctic Interagency Visitor Center is closed during the public comment period so it was not considered as a public notice location. The EA will be posted on the Refuge website for 15 days.

19 Environmental Assessment for Galbraith Lake Bunkhouse Construction Public written comments can be made via email to: [email protected] or mail to: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge CO: Nathan Hawkaluk 101 12th Ave. Room 236 Fairbanks, AK 99701

Determination This section will be filled out upon completion of the public comment period and at the time of finalization of the Environmental Assessment.

X☐ The Service’s action will not result in a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. See the attached “Finding of No Significant Impact”.

☐ The Service’s action may significantly affect the quality of the human environment and the Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

Signatures Submitted By: Nathan Hawkaluk, Deputy Refuge Manager

Project Leader Signature: Date: Concurrence:

Refuge Supervisor Signature: Date:

Approved:

Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System Signature: Date:

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Appendix A

Cultural Resources Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. 470aa-470mm; 18 CFR Part 1312; 32 CFR Part 229; 36 CFR Part 296; 43 CFR Part 7 National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470-470x-6; 36 CFR Parts 60, 63, 78, 79, 800, 801, and 810 We addressed cultural resource compliance through consultation with Regional Archaeological Specialists. Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 36 CFR Part 13; 50 CFR Parts 10, 17, 23, 81, 217, 222, 225, 402, 450 Refuge staff consulted with Endangered Species specialists in Fairbanks, AK and confirmed through online resources that no threatened or endangered species would be affected by the action alternative. Natural Resources Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q; 40 CFR Parts 23, 50, 51, 52, 58, 60, 61, 82, and 93; 48 CFR Part 23 Refuge staff evaluated available air quality data to ensure air quality would not be decreased during the construction and occupation of the proposed bunkhouse. Wilderness Act, 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq. The Refuge has both designated Wilderness and 3 designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. Since the proposed location for the construction of the bunkhouse is outside of the Refuge boundary, neither the Wilderness nor the Wild and Scenic Rivers will be affected by the proposed action.

Literature/Resources Cited: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Final Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan – 2015 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/index. https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/mAQI/a10/cC0&select=26423#6.46/68.721/-148.559

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