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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Drake Cement Limestone Quarry Project Prescott National Forest Project proponent: Drake Cement, LLC For submittal to: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southwestern Region Prescott National Forest Prepared by: Transcon Infrastructure, Inc. (dba Transcon Environmental) 3740 East Southern Avenue, Suite 218 Mesa, Arizona 85206 (480) 807-0095 September 2006 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................1 1.1 Document Structure and Purpose.........................................................................................1 1.2 Project Record Location and Incorporation by Reference ......................................................1 1.3 Background .......................................................................................................................1 1.4 Purpose and Need for Action...............................................................................................4 1.5 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................4 1.6 Decision Framework...........................................................................................................5 1.6.1 Applicable Laws and Executive Orders..................................................................6 1.7 Public Involvement.............................................................................................................7 1.7.1 Process and Results...............................................................................................7 1.7.2 Public Issues.........................................................................................................7 1.7.3 Significant Public Issues........................................................................................7 1.7.4 Non-significant Public Issues.................................................................................9 CHAPTER 2 – ALTERNATIVES.....................................................................................................10 2.1 Alternative Development Process ......................................................................................10 2.2 Description of Alternatives ...............................................................................................10 2.2.1 Alternative A – No Action...................................................................................10 2.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Action..........................................................................10 2.2.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study .................................20 2.3 Reclamation and Mitigation ..............................................................................................23 2.3.1 General Reclamation Requirements......................................................................23 2.3.2 Mitigation ..........................................................................................................25 2.4 Forest Plan Consistency....................................................................................................28 2.5 Alternative Evaluation Comparison ...................................................................................29 CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ........................30 3.1 Other Past, Present, and Foreseeable Future Actions in the Project Vicinity..........................30 3.1.1 Past Actions .......................................................................................................30 3.1.2 Present Actions ...................................................................................................31 3.1.3 Future Foreseeable Actions..................................................................................33 3.2 Response of Alternatives to Significant Public Issues..........................................................34 3.3 Physical Factors ...............................................................................................................37 3.3.1 Topography and Geology ....................................................................................37 3.3.2 Climate ..............................................................................................................39 3.3.3 Soils...................................................................................................................40 3.3.4 Minerals and Energy Resources...........................................................................42 3.3.5 Visual Resources ................................................................................................43 3.3.6 Heritage Resources .............................................................................................49 3.3.7 Wilderness Resources .........................................................................................51 3.3.8 Wild and Scenic Rivers .......................................................................................53 3.3.9 Water Resources.................................................................................................57 3.3.10 Air Quality .........................................................................................................62 3.3.11 Noise .................................................................................................................66 3.3.12 Hazards..............................................................................................................70 3.3.13 Land Use............................................................................................................72 3.3.14 Recreation ..........................................................................................................74 3.3.15 Infrastructure Improvements................................................................................75 3.4 Biological Factors ............................................................................................................78 3.4.1 Vegetation..........................................................................................................78 3.4.2 Wildlife..............................................................................................................80 Drake Cement Limestone Quarry Project Environmental Assessment page i 3.4.3 Fish....................................................................................................................83 3.4.4 Exotic and/or Noxious Organisms ........................................................................85 3.5 Economic and Social Factors ............................................................................................86 3.5.1 Population Dynamics ..........................................................................................86 3.5.2 Economic Base...................................................................................................88 3.5.3 Employment/Unemployment ...............................................................................90 3.5.4 Housing .............................................................................................................91 3.5.5 Community Service Requirements .......................................................................93 3.5.6 Revenue Base.....................................................................................................94 3.5.7 Income ...............................................................................................................95 3.5.8 Environmental Justice .........................................................................................96 CHAPTER 4 – PREPARERS AND CONSULTATION WITH OTHERS............................................98 4.1 ID Team Members ...........................................................................................................98 4.2 List of Preparers...............................................................................................................98 4.3 Federal, State and Local Agencies.....................................................................................98 4.4 Tribes ..............................................................................................................................98 4.5 Others Consulted..............................................................................................................99 CHAPTER 5 – REFERENCES ......................................................................................................