Chapter3: Affected Environment CHAPTER 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3.1. Introduction This section describes the affected environment as it currently exists. The discussion is organized by the following major resource topics: air quality and noise, geology and minerals, paleontological resources, soils, water resources, vegetation, wildlife, special status species, land use and transportation, visual and recreation resources, cultural resources, Native American concerns, socioeconomics and environmental justice, and hazardous and solid waste. 3.1.1. Project Area 3.1.1.1. Proposed Pipeline ROW The proposed common carrier pipeline would extend approximately 399 miles from the cluster of five refineries in southern Davis and northern Salt Lake counties, including Holly’s Woods Cross Refinery, to the Apex Industrial Park northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, with two short lateral pipelines, one in Salt Lake County from the mainline to the Salt Lake City Airport, the other from the mainline to a terminal in the Cedar City, Utah area (see Exhibit 1.1-1). In Utah, the proposed main pipeline would originate in Davis County and cross Salt Lake, Tooele, Juab, Millard, Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties. In Nevada, the main pipeline would cross Lincoln County and terminate in Clark County. The main pipeline route would primarily cross BLM (203.79 miles) and private (125.56 miles) lands. It would cross lesser amounts of state (35.84 miles), U.S. Forest Service (17.78 miles), Moapa Band of Paiute Indian Reservation (14.57 miles), and U.S. Department of Defense (2.35 miles) lands for a total of 399.89 miles. The main pipeline route would cross approximately 2 miles of water. The proposed Airport Lateral in Salt Lake County would cross approximately 2.4 miles of private land. The proposed Cedar City Lateral in Iron County would cross 4.56 miles of BLM land and 5.8 miles of private land. The Area of Analysis section under each resource specifies the area for which detailed information is provided for that resource. 3.1.1.2. Proposed Utility Corridor The proposed utility corridor on lands administered by the SLFO, from MP 54 to MP 82.5 (the Tooele/Juab County line), would be 0.75 mile (3,960 feet) wide. In most cases the Area of Analysis for each resource does not provide site-specific information for the proposed corridor. Additional general information to describe the affected environment for the proposed utility corridor is provided through references to pertinent sections of the WEC PEIS (DOE 2008). The WEC PEIS was prepared to analyze the environmental impacts of establishing numerous utility corridors throughout the 11 western states (see Section 1.2.3). The affected environment studied and described in the WEC PEIS includes the area for one WEC corridor that aligns with the utility corridor proposed in this FEIS, and so provides context for better understanding the resources within the proposed corridor. 3.1.2. Resources Not Affected Based on BLM Checklists (Appendix A) prepared by each Utah BLM Field Office and discussions with the Las Vegas and Ely Field Offices, the resources discussed below were not carried forward for detailed analysis. Page 3-1 Chapter 3: Affected Environment 3.1.2.1. Wild and Scenic Rivers The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, signed into law on October 2, 1968, protects the free-flowing waters of many of the country's most spectacular rivers. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for appropriate use and development. As of 2006, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protected more than 11,000 miles of 165 rivers in 38 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. There are no rivers or segments of rivers designated as Wild and Scenic or that are considered eligible for designation within the project area. Further, considering the eligibility of rivers or river segments is outside the scope of the plan amendment to designate a new utility corridor and issue a ROW permit. Therefore these resources are not carried forward for detailed analysis (NWSRS 2007). 3.1.2.2. Designated Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, and Non-Wilderness Study lands with Wilderness Characteristics The Wilderness Act was passed by Congress in 1964 and continues to be the guiding piece of legislation for all Wilderness areas. The proposed pipeline or corridor would not cross any areas designated as Wilderness under the Wilderness Act, areas designated as Wilderness Study Areas that are currently managed for wilderness values, or non-Wilderness Study lands with wilderness characteristics (see Appendix A). Considering whether any lands within the Proposed Action area contain wilderness characteristics and how to manage those lands, if they existed, is outside the scope of the plan amendment to designate a new utility corridor and issue a ROW permit. Therefore wilderness resources are not carried forward for detailed analysis. 3.1.3. Affected Resources The following affected resources are analyzed in detail in the following sections of Chapter 3: • Air Quality and Noise • Geology and Minerals • Paleontological Resources • Soils • Water Resources • Vegetation • Wildlife • Special Status Species • Land Use and Transportation • Visual and Recreation Resources • Cultural Resources • Native American Concerns • Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice • Hazardous and Solid Waste Materials Page 3-2 Chapter3: Affected Environment 3.2. Air Quality 3.2.1. Area of Analysis With respect to air quality, the proposed pipeline route traverses from northern Utah to southern Nevada through counties designated attainment or nonattainment areas and through Class I and II “clean air areas” (Exhibits 3.2-4, and 3.2-5). Air masses and airsheds are, by definition, regional and mobile. The pipeline would originate in North Salt Lake, Utah, connect to a lateral line servicing the Salt Lake City Airport, connect to a second lateral line and terminal in Cedar City, Utah, and finally terminate at the Apex Industrial Park, northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. Although the proposed pipeline lies directly in or near the Great Basin, various sections have different sub-climates dependent primarily upon location and elevation (CH2MHill 2008a). The area of analysis for air quality would also include areas in relatively close proximity to the project area that are designated for prevention of significant deterioration. 3.2.2. Data Sources and Methods The air quality affected environment was described using emission estimates based on regulatory- based available literature and airshed designation (Referring to attainment and nonattainment airsheds). No field studies were conducted; the affected environment description was developed based on best available data and information (CH2MHill 2008a). 3.2.3. Existing Conditions for Proposed Pipeline ROW 3.2.3.1. Area Climatology The proposed pipeline route traverses portions of the States of Utah and Nevada through a region that is classified as the Great Basin. The Great Basin is a region generally surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west and the Wasatch Mountains/Wasatch Plateau to the east. This region is effectively cut off from moist westerly flow from the Pacific where, due to orographic lifting, the majority of moisture precipitates out on the windward side of the Sierra Nevada. This effect produces a semi-arid climate in the Great Basin region where evaporation potential exceeds precipitation throughout the year. Interior basins are commonly around 4,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level and mean annual temperatures are near 64.4 °F (18 degrees C) (WRCC n.d. b). Diurnal temperature gradients during the summer months are nearly always greater than those of winter. This occurs as cold air from the surrounding mountains flows down the mountain barriers and settles at the bottom of the basin, thus allowing for hot days and cool nights. The prevailing upper-level wind in the Great Basin is west-southwesterly due to the strong upper-level predominate westerly flow known as the jet stream. Winds can become southerly or northerly depending upon the synoptic or more local mesoscale systems in the area. Easterlies are rarely observed on a large scale basis. On average, mixing of the atmosphere due to convection in the Great Basin region, promotes good air quality. Mean, minimum, maximum and annual temperatures including rainfall totals for the four stations along the pipeline are shown in Exhibit 3.2-1. North Salt Lake Sub Climate North Salt Lake lies approximately 4,430 feet above sea level, roughly 6 miles north of Salt Lake City. Temperatures in North Salt Lake in the summer frequently reach 100 °F during summer months and drop to near 20 °F during the winter months. Annual precipitation of 22.4 inches is normal for the area, some of which contributes to their nearly 59 inches of snow accumulation annually. Prevailing surface winds average 8.6 miles per hour (MPH) at a south-southeasterly direction (WRCC n.d. a). Page 3-3 Chapter 3: Affected Environment Exhibit 3.2-1 Monthly Climate Normals Temp (F) Precip. (in.) ch ch Wind Spd. il r r (MPH) Ap January February Ma May June July August September October November December Annual Mean Max. Temp. 36.5 41.6 50.9 58.7 68.3 79.7 88.4 86.8 76.3 63 48 38.3 61.4 Mean Temp. 29.1 33.2 41.2 48.2 57.7 67.7 75.8 73.9 63.8 52 39 30.7 51 Mean Min. Temp. 21.6 24.8 31.5 37.6 47 55.7 63.2 60.9 51.2 41 30 23.1 40.6 Mean Precip. 2 1.84 2.39 2.81 3 1.15 0.88 0.94 1.54 2.2 1.9 1.75 22.4 Avg. Wind Spd. 6.9 7.6 8.9 9.8 9.2 9.6 9.5 9.8 8.9 8.2 7.5 7.5 8.6 North Salt Lake Prev.