Environmental Impact Statement for the Arecibo Observatory Arecibo, Puerto Rico Draft October 28, 2016 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico Prepared for National Science Foundation October 28, 2016 Cover Sheet Draft Environmental Impact Statement Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico Responsible Agency: The National Science Foundation (NSF) For more information, contact: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Suite 1045, 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, Virginia 22230 Public Comment Period: October 28, 2016 through December 12, 2016 To Submit a Comment: • Email to: [email protected] with subject line “Arecibo Observatory” • Mail to: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Arecibo Observatory National Science Foundation, Suite 1045 4201 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22230 Abstract: The National Science Foundation has produced a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with potential funding changes for the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The five action alternatives analyzed in the DEIS are 1) collaboration with interested parties for continued science-focused operations (the agency-preferred alternative), 2) collaboration with interested parties for transition to education-focused operations, 3) mothballing of facilities, 4) partial deconstruction and site restoration, and 5) complete deconstruction and site restoration. Environmental resources and concerns considered in the DEIS are biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, groundwater, hazardous materials, solid waste, health and safety, noise, socioeconomics, traffic and transportation, and visual resources. Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. ES-1 ES.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... ES-1 ES.2 Purpose and Need ......................................................................................................... ES-1 ES.3 Public Disclosure and Involvement .............................................................................. ES-3 ES.4 Alternatives under Consideration ................................................................................. ES-3 ES.4.1 Alternative 1: Collaboration with Interested Parties for Continued Science- focused Operations (Agency-preferred Alternative)........................................ ES-3 ES.4.2 Alternative 2: Collaboration with Interested Parties for Transition to Education- focused Operations .......................................................................................... ES-4 ES.4.3 Alternative 3: Mothballing of Facilities ........................................................... ES-6 ES.4.4 Alternative 4: Partial Deconstruction and Site Restoration ............................. ES-7 ES.4.5 Alternative 5: Complete Deconstruction and Site Restoration ........................ ES-7 ES.4.6 No-Action Alternative: Continued NSF Investment for Science‐focused Operations ........................................................................................................ ES-8 ES.5 Resources Not Considered in Detail ........................................................................... ES-12 ES.6 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................... ES-12 ES.7 Impact Summary ......................................................................................................... ES-18 ES.7.1 Alternative 1: Collaboration with Interested Parties for Continued Science- focused Operations (Agency-preferred Alternative)...................................... ES-18 ES.7.2 Alternative 2: Collaboration with Interested Parties for Transition to Education- focused Operations ........................................................................................ ES-20 ES.7.3 Alternative 3: Mothballing of Facilities ......................................................... ES-21 ES.7.4 Alternative 4: Partial Deconstruction and Site Restoration ........................... ES-22 ES.7.5 Alternative 5: Complete Deconstruction and Site Restoration ...................... ES-23 ES.7.6 No-Action Alternative: Continued NSF Investment for Science‐focused Operations ...................................................................................................... ES-25 1 Purpose and Need ....................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Project Background and Location .................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................ 1-5 1.3 Federal Regulatory Setting .............................................................................................. 1-6 National Environmental Policy Act .................................................................... 1-7 National Historic Preservation Act ..................................................................... 1-7 Endangered Species Act ..................................................................................... 1-7 1.4 Agency Notification and Collaboration ........................................................................... 1-8 1.5 Public Disclosure and Involvement ................................................................................. 1-8 1.6 Arrangement and Content of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement ....................... 1-9 2 Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives .................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration ....................................................... 2-1 2.3 Alternatives Considered ................................................................................................... 2-1 Alternative 1 – Collaboration with Interested Parties for Continued Science- focused Operations (Agency-preferred Alternative)........................................... 2-1 Alternative 2 – Collaboration with Interested Parties for Transition to Education- focused Operations ............................................................................................. 2-3 Alternative 3 – Mothballing of Facilities ............................................................ 2-4 Alternative 4 – Partial Deconstruction and Site Restoration .............................. 2-6 I TABLE OF CONTENTS Alternative 5 – Complete Deconstruction and Site Restoration ......................... 2-7 2.4 No-Action Alternative – Continued NSF Investment for Science‐focused Operations. 2-13 3 Affected Environment ................................................................................................................ 3-1 3.1 Biological Resources ....................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 General Setting ................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.2 Vegetation ........................................................................................................... 3-2 3.1.3 Wildlife ............................................................................................................... 3-3 3.1.4 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 3-3 3.1.5 Threatened and Endangered Species .................................................................. 3-3 3.1.6 Migratory Birds................................................................................................... 3-9 3.2 Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 3-10 3.2.1 Proposed Action Area ....................................................................................... 3-14 3.3 Geology and Soils .......................................................................................................... 3-20 3.3.1 Proposed Action Area ....................................................................................... 3-20 3.4 Groundwater .................................................................................................................. 3-21 3.4.1 General Setting ................................................................................................. 3-22 3.4.2 Groundwater Quality ........................................................................................ 3-22 3.5 Hazardous Materials ...................................................................................................... 3-23 3.5.1 Existing Site Contamination ............................................................................. 3-23 3.5.2 Use of Hazardous Materials .............................................................................. 3-24 3.6 Solid Waste .................................................................................................................... 3-25 3.6.1 Proposed Action Area ......................................................................................