Bungalow Forest Management Project
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERTOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Final EnvironmerLtal Assessment fbr the proposed Bungalow Mines Forestry Project on the Colville Indian Rerservation, Okanogan County, Washington AGENCY: Bureau of krdian Affairs ACTION: Notice of Availability SUMMARY: This notice is to advirie interested parties that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as lead federal agency, with the Conflederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, has prepared a final Environmenta.l Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) foi ttre proposed Bungalow Mirres Forestry Project on the Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington. This notice also announces the EA and FONSI are now available in hard copy at the address below. ADDRESSES; You may request ahard copy of the EA and FONSI by writing the BIA Colville Agency, PO Box 1.50, Nespelem, Washington, 99155, ancl the Colville Tribe, PO Box 111, Nespelem, Washington, 99 I 55. FOR FURTHER IINFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Wulff, BIA Colville Agency Superintendent, at (509) 634-2316, and Chasity Swan, Colville Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) Coorclinator, at (509) 634-2323. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The Colville Tribe, through contractual obligations to the BIA, has proposed the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project. The activities under the agency proposed action are for the Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation to harvest approximately 5 million board feet of timber from T,340 acres in the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area on the Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington. The activities will occur under guidelines in the IRMF and associated Environmental Impact Statement. AUTHORITY: This notice is published pursuant to 43 CFR 46.305 of the Department of Interior Regulations (43 CFR 46 et seq.), the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 437I et seq.), and in accor<lance with the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant SecreteLry - Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8. /.ldara tJt^ t.t,.70>l Ag"*y' Srp"r,"t*d;fri- Date Colville Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Deparlment of the Interior Finding of No Significant Impact Bungalow Mines Forestry Project Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington Based on the attached final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project for a proposal for the Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation to harvest approximately 5 million board feet of timber from 1,340 acres in the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area on the Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington, I have determined that by implementation of the agency proposed action with associated activities, and environmental mitigation measures as specified in the EA, the proposed Bungalow Mines Forestry Project will have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment. In accordance with section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. This determination is supported by the following findings: 1. Agency and Tribal Interdisciplinary Team involvement was conducted and environmental issues related to development of the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project were identified. Alternative course of action and mitigation measures were developed in response to environmental concerns and issues. Tribal community outreach was conducted (EA section 1.6; Colville Integrated Resource Management Plan [IRMP] Final Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]). 2. The EA discloses the environmental consequences of the “proposed action” and “no action” alternatives. 3. Protective measures will be levied to protect air (Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), noise, and water quality (Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), as outlined in the mitigation measures (EA section 4.3; Colville IRMP EIS). 4. The proposed action will not jeopardize threatened or endangered species (Endangered Species Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (EA section 4.4; Colville IRMP EIS). 5. There are no adverse effects on historic properties for the purpose of 36 CFR 800.9(b) by preserving archeological value through conduct of appropriate research in accordance with applicable standards and guideline (National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470). Should undiscovered archeological remains be encountered during ground-disturbing activities, work will stop in the area of discovery and the stipulations of 36 CFR 800.11 will be followed (EA section 4.5; Colville IRMP EIS). 6. Impacts to public health and safety are mitigated through implementation of safety measures (Colville IRMP EIS). 7. The proposed action will not cause a significant effect to energy resources (Energy Policy Act of 2005), water resources, wetlands (E.O. 11990), or flood plains (E.O. 11988). The Bungalow Mines Forestry Project will not result in discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S. or in surface water quality issues (Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (EA section 4.3; Colville IRMP EIS). 8. The cumulative effects of the environment are mitigated to avoid or minimize effects of implementation of the proposed project. 9. The proposed action would improve the economic and sociial conditions of the affected Indian community. 10. The Bungalow l\4ines Forestry Project will not have significant impacts on: natural and unique geographic features such as historic or culfural resources; park, recreation, or refuge lands; wildemess areas; wild and scenic rivers; national natural landmarks; s()le or prime drinking water aquifers; prime and unique farmlands, wetlands, floodplains; national monumenti; eagles and migratorybi.dr, und other ecologically significant areas. 1 l. The proposed action will not produce highly controversial effects on the quality of the human environment, and will not have unresolved conflicts concerning altemate uses bf available resources. 12. The proposed action will not have highly uncertain effects on the human environment or involve unique or rurkno,wn risks. 13. The proposed acrtion will not establish a precedent for future actions with sienificant efl'ects or represent a decision in principle about a consideration. 14. The Bungalow Mines Forestry Project is not related to otherr actions with individual insienificant but cumulatively si gnifi cant environmen tal effects. 15. There will be no disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effer:ts on minority or low-jincome communities (Environmental Justice E.O. 12898; Title VI of the Civil Riqhts Act of 1964). 16. The proposed ac1;ion will not affect.American Indian Religious Freedom (42 U.S.C. 1996). The action will not limit access to, and ceremonial use of, Indian sacred sites on federal lands, by Indian religious practitioners, andlor adversely affect the physical integrity of such sites Q.{ative American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,25 U,S.C. 32). 17. The action will not contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasjve species known t.o occur in the area, or may promote the introduction, growth, or expansion ofthe range ofsuch species. 18. The proposed action will not contribute to the disposal of solid or hazardous waste (Resource Conservation ancl R"ecovery Act of 1976;43 U.S.C. 6901, et seq.). 19. The proposed action will not threaten a violation of federal, state, local, or tribal law or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment. l-I7VDI Agency Superintende: Date Colville Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Department of the Interior Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Colville Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation Proposed Action: The Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation proposes harvest of approximately 5 million board feet of timber from 1,340 acres in the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area of tribally owned land in the Nespelem District. Official Decision Maker: Debra Wulff, Superintendent, Colville Agency, BIA For further information: Chasity Swan IRMP Coordinator PO BOX 111 Nespelem, WA 99155 (509) 634-2323 [email protected] January 7, 2021 Colville Indian Reservation 1 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 1.0 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action .............................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Issues, Concerns and Objectives ......................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Compliance with Other Codes and Regulations ................................................................................. 5 1.5 Determination...................................................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Public Involvement ............................................................................................................................