Final Finding and Decision: (As required under AS 38.05.035 (e)) Competitive Coal Lease Sale In the Canyon Creek Area, Alaska ADL 553937 Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water Contents Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................... 9 Final Decision ............................................................................................................................. 9 Authority ................................................................................................................................... 10 Administrative Record .............................................................................................................. 10 Scope of the Decision ............................................................................................................... 10 Use of Consultants in Preparing the Preliminary Decision ...................................................... 12 Chapter 2: Description ......................................................................... 13 Location and Geographic Description ...................................................................................... 13 Title ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Planning and Classification....................................................................................................... 16 Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Management Plan ............................................................. 17 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Comprehensive Plans ............................................................. 17 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Code ....................................................................................... 17 Historical and Archeological Sites............................................................................................ 18 Access ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Waterways............................................................................................................................. 19 Roads and Trails ................................................................................................................... 20 Section Line Easements ........................................................................................................ 20 Survey Requirement.................................................................................................................. 20 Compensation ........................................................................................................................... 20 Bonding ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Hazardous Materials and Potential Contaminants .................................................................... 21 Geologic Hazards ...................................................................................................................... 21 Faults and Earthquakes ......................................................................................................... 22 Volcanic Hazards .................................................................................................................. 23 References ................................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 3: Coal Resource Potential Evaluation for the Canyon Creek Lease Area .................................................................................. 27 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 27 Coal Potential Rating of State Lands for Coal Leases .............................................................. 28 Coal Potential Rating System ............................................................................................... 29 1 Contents Geologic Setting of the Canyon Creek Area ............................................................................. 31 Coal-bearing Kenai Group .................................................................................................... 31 Summary of Geologic in Lease Area (depicted on Fig. 3.3) .................................................... 33 Unconsolidated Quaternary Deposits ................................................................................... 35 Sedimentary Rocks, Tertiary Kenai Group ........................................................................... 35 Igneous Rocks – Intrusives and Volcanics ........................................................................... 36 Cretaceous Sedimentary Rocks............................................................................................. 37 Coal Resource Potential Evaluation.......................................................................................... 37 Available Geologic Data ....................................................................................................... 37 Coal Resource Potential Evaluation (Fig. 3.7).......................................................................... 42 References ................................................................................................................................. 44 Chapter 4: Statutory and Regulatory Background .......................... 47 Permitting .................................................................................................................................. 48 Other State of Alaska Permitting .............................................................................................. 49 Public Involvement ................................................................................................................... 50 Baseline Studies ........................................................................................................................ 51 Performance Standards ............................................................................................................. 52 Operation and Reclamation Plans ............................................................................................. 53 Bonding ..................................................................................................................................... 54 Inspections ................................................................................................................................ 54 Federal Regulation and Permitting ........................................................................................... 55 Chapter 5: Habitat, Fish, and Wildlife .............................................. 57 Terrestrial Habitats.................................................................................................................... 57 Needleleaf Forest .................................................................................................................. 58 Broadleaf Forest .................................................................................................................... 58 Mixed Needleleaf/Broadleaf Forest ...................................................................................... 58 Tall and Low Shrub .............................................................................................................. 58 Dwarf Shrub .......................................................................................................................... 58 Dry and Moist Herb .............................................................................................................. 59 Wet and Aquatic Herb .......................................................................................................... 59 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................... 59 Developed Areas ................................................................................................................... 63 Invasive Species .................................................................................................................... 63 Water Habitats .......................................................................................................................... 63 2 Contents Freshwater Habitats .............................................................................................................. 63 Designated Habitat Areas ......................................................................................................... 68 Talachulitna State Recreational River .................................................................................. 68 Susitna Flats State Game Refuge .......................................................................................... 68 Trading Bay State Game Refuge .......................................................................................... 69 Fish and Wildlife Populations ................................................................................................... 70 Freshwater and Anadromous Fish ........................................................................................ 71 Birds .....................................................................................................................................