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Lynn Springs South Quarry Expansion Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact

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Lynn Springs South Quarry Expansion Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Lynn Springs South Quarry Expansion Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact Minidoka Ranger District Sawtooth National Forest Box Elder County, Utah Salt Lake Meridian, T14N, R16W, Section 29 May 2017 For More Information Contact: Heidie Torrealday Sawtooth National Forest 2306 Hiland Avenue Burley, Idaho 83318 (208) 678-0430 USDA NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT DR 4300.003 USDA Equal Opportunity Public Notification Policy (June 2, 2015) In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] . USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. ii Chapter 1 – Need for the Proposal Background This environmental assessment (EA) describes the proposal by Bonneville Quarries for the expansion of quarry operations at their Lynn Springs Quarry and documents the effects related to the project. The Forest Service’s intent is to furnish enough site-specific information to demonstrate consideration of environmental consequences of the proposed action, with a focus on the issues identified by the public and the interdisciplinary team. Additional documentation is located in the project file (i.e., a compilation of documents prepared for this project), which can be reviewed upon request. This document, as well as the Notice of Proposed Action and other project information, is available on the Forest web site at www.fs.usda.gov/projects/sawtooth/landmangment/projects The Forest Service has completed this EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Forest Management Act, and the 2012 Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). The proposal is consistent with Wetlands and Floodplains Executive Orders, the Clean Water Act, and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This EA is consistent with Executive Order 2015-002 which directs the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining to coordinate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on all regulatory actions proposed for issuance by the Division of Oil Gas and Mining with Sage Grouse Management Areas to assure compliance with the requirements of the State’s Conservation Plan. Purpose and Need The Forest Service’s purpose and need is to respond, evaluate and process the operator’s proposal submitted under 36 CFR 228 Subpart A for locatable mineral development and 36 CFR 228 Subpart C in preparation of a mineral material contract and sales. Bonneville Quarries, Inc. (Operator) have initiated this mining proposal and have a possessory right in accordance with the General Mining Law of 1872 (17 Stat. 91; 30 U.S.C. §§ 21 et seq.) to conduct mineral extraction operations related to the occurrence of locatable minerals at their Lynn Springs Quarry. Quality and sufficient stone resource has been depleted in the northern quarry and it is the desire of the operator to reclaim and shift quarry operations to the smaller south quarry. A plan of operation amendment was received by Bonneville Quarries, Inc. on August 22, 2016 outlining their proposal for the approximate 3.5 acre expansion of the south quarry resource. Project Area and Existing Condition The Lynn Springs Quarry is situated at roughly 6300 ft. in elevation within the west-central portion of the Raft River Division, approximately 15 miles south of Almo, Idaho (Figure 1). The project area is within Management Area 18; Raft River, which occurs entirely within the Raft River Mountain Range of north-central Utah. The site is comprised of mixed pinyon-juniper forest. The western slope of the quarry was inundated by a wildland fire in 2012 which contributed to the introduction of patchy grassland vegetation after the loss of juniper canopy. In the area of proposed expansion, juniper canopy is dominant with minor herbaceous understory 1 vegetation. Historic quarry operations have removed approximately 5 acres of juniper-pinyon canopy. This portion of the existing operation will be reclaimed prior to proposed expansion. Forest Plan management area direction within the project and analysis area emphasize restoration and maintenance within shrubland and grassland landscapes. This prescription applies to lands that are predominantly (>50 percent) shrubland and grassland. Emphasis is placed on restoring and maintaining vegetation within desired conditions in order to provide a diversity of habitats, reduce risk from disturbance events, and sustain resources for human use. The proposal is consistent with forest-wide standards and guidelines for mineral and geology resources, Number Management Direction Description Permits and authorizations for exploration and development of common variety minerals shall MIST01 include terms and conditions for controlling operating methods in timing to prevent degrading effects to surface resources and uses. Require reclamation bonds for all proposed mineral activities that will potentially cause MIST06 significant surface disturbance and require rehabilitation. Reclamation and mitigation standards that specifically address recurrent maintenance and end-of-season and interim shutdown should be part of operating plans. Reasonable MIGU01 expiration dates and frequency of inspections should be identified in approved plans. Long-term or final reclamation should return the land to a planned use that is consistent with MIGU02 the overall land use objectives of the area. For locatable mineral operations, degrading effects to aquatic resources and water quality MIGU08 should be mitigated The project is also consistent with the other applicable Plan direction, including Guidelines for TEPC Species (01,02); SWRA Resources (03 ,05, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12); Wildlife Resources (03, 05, 06, 12, 13); Botanical Resources (01); Non-native Plans (03, 05); and Recreation Resources (05, 08, 22, 24). 2 Figure 1Vicinity of Lynn Springs Project Area Issues The ID Team did not identify any key concerns from internal or external public scoping that would lead to the development of alternatives. Non-key concerns that were analyzed and for which modifications to the proposed action may have been made are: Potential for noxious weed infestation Sediment delivery to non-fish bearing perennial streams from access roads and daily operations Disturbance of wildlife from operational activities. Tribal concerns related to the removal of pinyon pine. Chapter 2 – Proposed Action The Forest Service proposes to review the Plan of Operation submitted by Bonneville Quarries and analyze and document the environmental effects of the operator’s proposed mining activity. In doing so, the operator’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) may be modified and the Forest Service will determine if terms and conditions for environmental protection are required before authorizing the plan of operations and a contract for the sale of mineral material. Operators Proposal The Lynn Springs Quarry, operated by Bonneville Quarries, Inc., has been in nearly continuous operation since the 1960s. The operator produces quartzite flagstone landscaping products known within the industry as “Oakley Stone”. A plan of operations was authorized for the 3 existing operations in 1999. Operations have focused primarily on the northern quarry. Quality and sufficient stone resource has been depleted in the northern quarry and it is the desire of the operator to reclaim the northern quarry and shift operations to the smaller southern quarry. Reclamation of the northern quarry commenced in late summer 2016 and a plan of operation amendment was received by Bonneville Quarries, Inc. on August 22, 2016 outlining their proposal. The proposed disturbance perimeter associated with the expansion is approximately 3.4 acres as described in the operating plan. It is expected the processing yard will expand by an additional 0.5 acres.
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