Environmental Assessment Marysville Irrigation Company Gravity
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United States Department of Agriculture Environmental Assessment Natural Resources Conservation Service Marysville Irrigation Company Marysville Irrigation Company Gravity Pressurized Yellowstone Soil Irrigation Delivery System Conservation District Fremont County, Idaho May 2007 Environmental Assessment Marysville Irrigation Company Gravity Pressurized Irrigation Delivery System Prepared For the Marysville Irrigation Company In Cooperation With The Yellowstone Soil Conservation District By The USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service May 2007 Environmental Assessment Marysville Irrigation Company Gravity Pressurized Irrigation Delivery System Fremont County, Idaho May 2007 Abstract: This Environmental Assessment (EA) addresses the effects of replacing an open ditch irrigation delivery system with buried plastic pipelines to distribute gravity pressurized irrigation water. The document analyzes the proposed action and the no action alternatives. The proposed action includes the construction, operation and maintenance of three plastic pipelines that provide for the delivery of gravity pressurized irrigation water to approximately 6,130 acres surrounding Marysville, Idaho, eliminating most of the need for pumping powered by electric motors. Approximately 1,000 acres would require booster pumps. Water would only be drawn from the pipe when irrigation is required, eliminating overflow to the Henry’s Fork River. The proposed action would eliminate about 90% of the water seepage loss from the canals and would eliminate the need for approximately 1,600 horsepower from electric pump motors. The document describes the effects of two alternatives on ecological, aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social, and health conditions. A cost benefit analysis using Principles and Guidelines was completed. This document fulfills requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service - National Environmental Compliance Handbook. This document was prepared under the authority of Public Law 46, as amended (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 7CFR 650.11 (b) 3; and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Prepared by: United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite C Boise, ID 83709-1574 For the Marysville Irrigation Company P. O. Box 307 Ashton, Idaho 83420 In Cooperation with the Yellowstone Soil Conservation District 315 East 5th North St. Anthony, ID 83445-1626 For additional information contact: Richard Sims, State Conservationist U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 9173 W. Barnes Suite C, Boise, Idaho 83709-1555 Telephone (208) 378-5700, FAX (208) 378-5735, or email to [email protected] 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 a 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, S.W., 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 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION...........................................................................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................1 1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION................................................................................................................2 1.3 AGENCY AND SPONSOR ROLES ....................................................................................................................2 1.4 LOCATION AND BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................2 1.5 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ..............................................................................................................................2 1.6 SUMMARY OF SCOPING........................................................................................................................2 2 ALTERNATIVES ..............................................................................................................................................5 2.1 FORMULATION PROCESS ..............................................................................................................................5 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE PLANS.........................................................................................................5 2.3 EVALUATION AND COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................5 2.3.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative (Future without Project Action) ................................................5 2.3.2 Alternative B – Proposed Action – Replace the Open Ditch Irrigation System with a Gravity Pressurized Irrigation Delivery System ...............................................................................................................5 2.3.3 Costs ......................................................................................................................................................6 2.3.4 Benefits ..................................................................................................................................................7 2.4 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE..................................................................................12 2.4.1 Rationale for the Preferred Alternative ...............................................................................................12 2.4.2 Operation and Maintenance ................................................................................................................12 2.4.3 Permits and Licenses ...........................................................................................................................12 2.4.4 Risk and Uncertainty ...........................................................................................................................13 2.5 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED ........................................................................................13 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES......................................15 3.1 SOILS AND PRIME FARMLAND....................................................................................................................15 3.1.1 Affected Environment...........................................................................................................................15 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences..............................................................................................................16 3.2 FLOODPLAINS,FLOODING,HYDROLOGY AND SURFACE WATER QUANTITY ..............................................16 3.2.1 Affected Environment...........................................................................................................................16 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences..............................................................................................................17 3.3 GEOLOGY AND GROUND WATER QUANTITY...............................................................................................19 3.3.1 Affected Environment...........................................................................................................................19 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences..............................................................................................................21 3.4 SURFACE WATER QUALITY.......................................................................................................................21 3.4.1 Affected Environment...........................................................................................................................21 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences..............................................................................................................22 3.5 GROUND WATER QUALITY .......................................................................................................................23 3.5.1 Affected Environment...........................................................................................................................23 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences..............................................................................................................24 3.6 WETLANDS................................................................................................................................................24 3.6.1 Affected Environment...........................................................................................................................24 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences..............................................................................................................26