Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement For Northern Border Activities Section 4: West of the Rockies Region July 2012 PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CONTENTS 4 West of the Rockies Region ................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Air Quality ...................................................................................................................... 4-4 4.2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 4-4 4.2.2 Affected Environment .............................................................................................. 4-4 4.2.2.1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status ..................... 4-4 4.2.2.2 Class I Areas ..................................................................................................... 4-6 4.3 Biological Resources ...................................................................................................... 4-8 4.3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 4-8 4.3.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-10 4.3.2.1 Blocks of Regionally Significant Habitat ....................................................... 4-10 4.3.2.2 Sensitive Habitats ............................................................................................ 4-13 4.3.2.3 Threatened and Endangered Species .............................................................. 4-15 4.3.2.4 Wildlife Typically Found in the Region ......................................................... 4-18 4.3.2.5 Vegetative Habitat Typically Found in the Region ........................................ 4-19 4.3.2.6 Wetlands and Waterways ................................................................................ 4-20 4.3.2.7 Aquatic Resources in the Region .................................................................... 4-21 4.4 Geology and Soils ......................................................................................................... 4-23 4.4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-23 4.4.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-23 4.4.2.1 Physiographic Provinces ................................................................................. 4-23 4.4.2.2 Geologic Conditions ....................................................................................... 4-27 4.4.2.3 Soils ................................................................................................................. 4-35 4.4.2.4 Prime and Unique Farmland ........................................................................... 4-36 4.5 Water Resources ........................................................................................................... 4-39 4.5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-39 4.5.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-39 4.5.2.1 Groundwater ................................................................................................... 4-39 4.5.2.2 Surface Waters and Waters of the United States ............................................ 4-40 4.5.2.3 Floodplains ...................................................................................................... 4-43 4.5.2.4 Transboundary Water Agreements ..................................................................... 4-44 4.6 Noise ............................................................................................................................. 4-45 4.6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-45 4.6.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-45 Northern Border Activities 4-i July 2012 PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4.6.2.1 Regulatory Review .......................................................................................... 4-46 4.6.2.2 CBP Noise Sources ......................................................................................... 4-46 4.6.2.3 Non-CBP Noise Sources ................................................................................. 4-47 4.6.2.4 Background Noise Levels ............................................................................... 4-48 4.6.2.5 National Parks ................................................................................................. 4-49 4.7 Climate Change and Sustainability ............................................................................... 4-51 4.7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-51 4.7.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-51 4.7.2.1 Climate Regions of the Northern Border—Overview .................................... 4-51 4.7.2.2 Climate in the WOR Region ........................................................................... 4-51 4.7.2.3 Climate Change in the United States—Pacific Northwest Regional Assessment ………… ........................................................................................................................ 4-52 4.8 Land Use ....................................................................................................................... 4-54 4.8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-54 4.8.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-54 4.8.2.1 Land Cover and Related Land Uses in the WOR Region ............................... 4-54 4.8.2.2 Land Cover and Related Land Uses in the Areas North of the WOR Region 4-58 4.8.2.3 Land Ownership in the WOR Region ............................................................. 4-63 4.8.2.4 Land Ownership in Canada North of the WOR Region ................................. 4-66 4.8.2.5 Land Use Management ................................................................................... 4-67 4.8.2.6 Consistency with Enforceable Policies of the Coastal Zone Management Act ………… ........................................................................................................................ 4-67 4.9 Aesthetic and Visual Resources .................................................................................... 4-68 4.9.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4-68 4.9.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................................ 4-68 4.9.2.1 Affected Landscapes ....................................................................................... 4-68 4.9.2.2 Areas with High Visual Sensitivity ................................................................. 4-69 4.9.2.3 Affected User Groups ..................................................................................... 4-69 4.10 Socioeconomic Resources .......................................................................................... 4-71 4.10.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4-71 4.10.2 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 4-71 4.10.2.1 Regional Demographics ................................................................................ 4-71 4.10.2.2 Population and Growth Trends ..................................................................... 4-72 4.10.2.3 Income, Poverty, and Unemployment .......................................................... 4-76 4.10.2.4 Property Values ............................................................................................. 4-79 Northern Border Activities 4-ii July 2012 PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4.10.2.5 Regional Economies ..................................................................................... 4-80 4.10.2.6 Economic Profiles of POEs and BPSs in the WOR Region ......................... 4-83 4.11 Cultural and Paleontological Resources ..................................................................... 4-91 4.11.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4-91 4.11.2 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 4-91 4.11.2.1 Archaeological Resources: Prehistoric/Precontact Context ......................... 4-91 4.11.2.2 Prehistoric Archaeological Site Probability .................................................. 4-92 4.11.2.3 Historic Context ...........................................................................................