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Planet Ranch Conservation Area EA and FONSI

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Planet Ranch Conservation Area EA and FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Environmental Assessment LC-16-19 Planet Ranch Conservation Area Planet Ranch, Arizona U.S. Department of the Interior U.S Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Land Management Lower Colorado Region Colorado River District Boulder City, Nevada Lake Havasu City, Arizona March 2018 Mission Statements The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Cover Photo: Overview photo of Planet Ranch (Bureau of Reclamation photo) Planet Ranch Conservation Area Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Environmental Assessment March 2018 Contents Finding of No Significant Impact ................................................................................. 1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 3 Alternatives Considered .............................................................................................................. 3 The Proposed Action ............................................................................................................... 4 Environmental Commitments ..................................................................................................... 4 Environmental Impacts and Findings .......................................................................................... 8 Agricultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 8 Environmental Justice.............................................................................................................. 8 Floodplains and Wetlands ....................................................................................................... 8 Hydrology ................................................................................................................................ 8 Indian Trust Assets (ITA) ........................................................................................................ 9 Socioeconomics ....................................................................................................................... 9 Transboundary Impacts ........................................................................................................... 9 Wild and Scenic Rivers ........................................................................................................... 9 Wilderness ............................................................................................................................... 9 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................... 9 Biological Resources ............................................................................................................... 9 Cultural Resources / Traditional Cultural Properties / Sacred Sites and Paleontological Resources ................................................................................................................ 10 Geology and Soils .................................................................................................................. 10 Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste and Health and Human Safety ....................................... 10 Land Use / Recreation ........................................................................................................... 10 Noise ................................................................................................................................ 10 Public Services / Utilities and Service Systems .................................................................... 10 Transportation and Traffic ..................................................................................................... 11 Visual Resources / Aesthetics ................................................................................................ 11 Water Quality ........................................................................................................................ 11 i Planet Ranch Conservation Area Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Environmental Assessment March 2018 Final Environmental Assessment ................................................................................ 1 1.0 Purpose of and Need for the Action .................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Background to the Purpose and Need ...................................................................... 1 1.2.1 Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program ....................................... 1 1.2.2 Project Area Background ............................................................................................... 4 1.3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................... 13 1.3.1 Reclamation .................................................................................................................. 13 1.3.2 Bureau of Land Management ....................................................................................... 13 1.4 Tiering and Incorporation by Reference ................................................................ 13 1.5 Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plan Conformance .................................. 14 1.6 Compliance with Environmental Statutes .............................................................. 14 2.0 Description of Alternatives ............................................................................... 15 2.1 Proposed Action Alternative .................................................................................. 15 2.1.1 Description of the Proposed Action Alternative .......................................................... 15 2.1.2 Design Features, Mitigation Measures, Conservation Measures and Best Management Practices Incorporated into the Proposed Action ................................................... 21 2.1.3 Timing Considerations and Estimated Schedule .......................................................... 25 2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 25 3.0 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ............................ 26 3.1 Proposed Action Analysis Method ......................................................................... 26 3.2 Resource Areas ....................................................................................................... 26 3.2.1 Resource Areas Not Discussed Further ........................................................................ 27 3.3 Cumulative Impact Analysis Methods and Identified Cumulative Actions ........... 31 3.4 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ..................................... 32 3.4.1 Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 32 3.4.2 Biological Resources .................................................................................................... 35 3.4.3 Cultural Resources/Traditional Cultural Properties/Sacred Sites and Paleontological Resources ................................................................................................................ 45 3.4.4 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................ 51 3.4.5 Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste and Health and Human Safety .............................. 53 3.4.6 Land Use / Recreation .................................................................................................. 55 3.4.7 Noise ............................................................................................................................. 57 3.4.8 Public Services / Utilities and Service Systems ........................................................... 59 3.4.9 Transportation and Traffic ............................................................................................ 65 ii Planet Ranch Conservation Area Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Environmental Assessment March 2018 3.4.10 Visual Resources / Aesthetics .................................................................................. 67 3.4.11 Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 71 4.0 List of Preparers ................................................................................................ 74 5.0 Consultation and Coordination ........................................................................ 76 5.1 Persons/Agencies Consulted .................................................................................. 76 5.1.1 Federal .......................................................................................................................... 76 5.1.2 State .............................................................................................................................
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