Final Environmental Assessment for the Expansion of Permitted Land
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DOE/EA-1603 Final Environmental Assessment for the Expansion of Permitted Land and Operations at the 9940 Complex and Thunder Range at Sandia National Laboratories/ New Mexico T O EN F E TM N R E A R P G E Y D U N A I C T I E R D E S M TATE OF A S National Nuclear Security Administration Sandia Site Office March 2008 This page intentionally left blank. DOE/EA-1603 Final Environmental Assessment for the Expansion of Permitted Land and Operations at the 9940 Complex and Thunder Range at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Sandia Site Office This page intentionally left blank. COVER SHEET RESPONSIBLE AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration TITLE: Final Environmental Assessment for the Expansion of Permitted Land and Operations at the 9940 Complex and Thunder Range at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico (DOE/EA-1603) For further information regarding this proposed action contact Mr. William Wechsler NEPA Document Manager Sandia Site Office National Nuclear Security Administration P.O. Box 5400 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-5400 Phone (505) 845-4262 E-mail: [email protected] For further information on the NEPA Process contact Ms. Susan Lacy Environmental Team Leader Sandia Site Office National Nuclear Security Administration P.O. Box 5400 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-5400 Phone (505) 845-5542 E-mail: [email protected] This page intentionally left blank. Environmental Assessment for the Expansion of Permitted Land and Operations at the 9940 Complex and Thunder Range—March 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR AGENCY ACTION ............................................................. 1 1.1. Background ....................................................................................................................1 1.1.1. General Site Description.....................................................................................................1 1.2. Purpose and Need ..........................................................................................................2 2.0 ALTERNATIVES.................................................................................................................. 3 2.1. No Action Alternative....................................................................................................3 2.2. Proposed Action.............................................................................................................3 2.2.1. Site Development................................................................................................................7 2.2.2. Operations.........................................................................................................................12 2.2.3. Project Termination and Decommissioning......................................................................16 2.3. Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Further Study...............................16 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................... 17 3.1. Land Resources............................................................................................................17 3.1.1. Land Use...........................................................................................................................17 3.1.2. Wildland Fire Management ..............................................................................................20 3.1.3. Vegetation Control............................................................................................................21 3.2. Geology, Topography, and Soils.................................................................................22 3.2.1. Geology ............................................................................................................................22 3.2.2. Topography.......................................................................................................................23 3.2.3. Soils ..................................................................................................................................25 3.3. Climate and Air Quality..............................................................................................26 3.3.1. Meteorology and Climate .................................................................................................26 3.3.2. Air Quality........................................................................................................................27 3.3.3. Air Quality Permits and Regulatory Requirements ..........................................................29 3.4. Noise..............................................................................................................................29 3.4.1. Definitions ........................................................................................................................29 3.4.2. Noise Standards and Requirements ..................................................................................30 3.4.3. Noise at the 9940 Complex and Thunder Range ..............................................................31 3.5. Water Resources..........................................................................................................31 3.5.1. Surface Water ...................................................................................................................31 3.5.2. Groundwater .....................................................................................................................32 3.6. Biological Resources....................................................................................................33 3.6.1. Terrestrial Vegetation .......................................................................................................33 3.6.2. Terrestrial Wildlife ...........................................................................................................33 3.6.3. Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................33 3.6.4. Areas of Biological Conservation.....................................................................................36 3.7. Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................36 3.7.1. Archaeological Sites .........................................................................................................37 3.7.2. Architectural Sites within Project Area ............................................................................38 3.7.3. Wildland Fire Management for Cultural Resources .........................................................38 3.8. Waste Management .....................................................................................................38 3.8.1. Nonhazardous Waste and Hazardous Waste.....................................................................38 3.8.2. Radioactive Waste ............................................................................................................39 3.8.3. Waste Disposal and Recycling .........................................................................................39 3.9. Utilities and Infrastructure.........................................................................................39 3.9.1. Power................................................................................................................................39 3.9.2. Potable Water ...................................................................................................................39 3.9.3. Sewer ................................................................................................................................39 3.9.4. Roads ................................................................................................................................39 iii Environmental Assessment for the Expansion of Permitted Land and Operations at the 9940 Complex and Thunder Range—March 2008 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ......................................................................... 41 4.1. Land Resources............................................................................................................41 4.1.1. No Action .........................................................................................................................41 4.1.2. Proposed Action................................................................................................................41 4.2. Geology, Topography, and Soils.................................................................................42 4.2.1. Geology ............................................................................................................................42 4.2.2. Topography.......................................................................................................................42 4.2.3. Soils ..................................................................................................................................42 4.3. Air Quality ...................................................................................................................43 4.3.1. No Action .........................................................................................................................43 4.3.2. Proposed Action................................................................................................................43