Environmental Assessment Shadura #1 Exploration Project Prepared for 9350 Nordic Drive Anchorage, AK 99507 Prepared by 1600 A Street, Suite 304 Anchorage, AK 99501 September 2010 Environmental Assessment September 2010 Shadura #1 Exploration Project Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Project Overview .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Project Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 1 2. Purpose and Need .............................................................................................................1 3. Alternatives Considered ...................................................................................................2 3.1 Action Alternatives ........................................................................................................................... 2 3.1.1 East Access Route Alternative ............................................................................................ 2 3.1.2 West Access Route Alternative (Preferred) ........................................................................ 6 3.2 Project Features Common to Both Action Alternatives .................................................................... 9 3.2.1 Staging Areas and Rig Camp: Off-refuge ........................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Permanent Roads and Bridges ........................................................................................... 9 3.2.3 Low Ground Pressure Vehicles (LGPVs) ........................................................................... 9 3.2.4 Temporary Ice Road Construction ...................................................................................... 9 3.2.5 Temporary Exploration Pad .............................................................................................. 10 3.2.6 Aviation Support ................................................................................................................ 12 3.2.7 Facilities and Equipment ................................................................................................... 12 3.2.8 Water Requirements and Sources .................................................................................... 13 3.2.9 Exploration Well Operations ............................................................................................. 13 3.2.10 Drilling Waste/Fluids Management Programs .................................................................. 15 3.2.11 Ice Road and Pad Rehabilitation and Restoration ............................................................ 18 3.2.12 Contingency Plans ............................................................................................................ 19 3.2.13 Non-Drilling Solid Waste Management Program .............................................................. 19 3.2.14 Operational Considerations .............................................................................................. 20 3.2.15 Qualifications of Key Personnel (Training)........................................................................ 24 3.2.16 Safety Meetings ................................................................................................................ 26 3.2.17 Fuel Storage and Transfers .............................................................................................. 26 3.2.18 Security ............................................................................................................................. 26 3.2.19 Community Outreach and Local Hire ................................................................................ 26 3.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated ......................................................................................... 27 3.3.1 Directional Drilling from Off-Refuge .................................................................................. 27 3.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................................................... 27 4. Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 27 4.1 Physical Environment ..................................................................................................................... 27 4.1.1 Climate .............................................................................................................................. 27 4.1.2 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 28 4.1.3 Landforms ......................................................................................................................... 28 4.1.4 Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................. 28 4.1.5 Water Resources .............................................................................................................. 28 4.1.6 Fire .................................................................................................................................... 29 4.2 Biological Environment................................................................................................................... 29 4.2.1 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................... 29 4.2.2 Terrestrial Habitats ............................................................................................................ 30 4.3 Fisheries ......................................................................................................................................... 31 4.4 Human Environment ...................................................................................................................... 33 4.4.1 Cultural Resources and Historical Resources .................................................................. 33 4.4.2 Social and Economic Characteristics ................................................................................ 33 4.4.3 Scenic Resources ............................................................................................................. 33 4.4.4 Recreational Resources .................................................................................................... 34 Environmental Assessment September 2010 Shadura #1 Exploration Project 4.4.5 Subsistence ....................................................................................................................... 34 4.4.6 Oil and Gas Commercial Activity ...................................................................................... 34 5. Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 35 5.1 Eliminated Issues ........................................................................................................................... 35 5.2 Issues Considered ......................................................................................................................... 35 5.2.1 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 36 5.2.2 Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................. 36 5.2.3 Hydrology and Water Quality ............................................................................................ 36 5.2.4 Vegetation and Wetlands .................................................................................................. 37 5.2.5 Fisheries ............................................................................................................................ 38 5.2.6 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................... 38 5.2.7 Land Use and Ownership ................................................................................................. 39 5.2.8 Economy and Socioeconomics ......................................................................................... 39 5.2.9 Cultural Resources............................................................................................................ 40 5.2.10 Scenic Resources ............................................................................................................. 40 5.2.11 Recreational Resources .................................................................................................... 40 6. Cumulative Impacts ........................................................................................................ 40 7. ANILCA Section 810 Subsistence Determination ....................................................... 41 7.1 Subsistence Resources, Uses and Needs in the Affected Area .................................................... 41 7.2 Effects of the Proposed Action or Use on Subsistence Uses and Needs ..................................... 41 7.3 Availability of Other Lands for the Purposes Sought to be Achieved ............................................ 42 7.4 Other Alternatives that Would Reduce