ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT For Modifications to Federal Levee Systems R-616-613 (Missouri River Right Bank and Papillion Creek Left Bank) and R-613 (Papillion Creek Right Bank, Missouri River Right Bank, and Platte River Left Bank) Sarpy County, Nebraska U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwest Division Omaha District Prepared for: Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District 8901 S. 154th St Omaha, NE 68138 Contact: Marlin Petermann 402.444.6222 Prepared by: Felsburg Holt and Ullevig FYRA Engineering 321 S. 9th Street 12702 Westport Parkway, Suite 300 Lincoln, NE 68508 Omaha, NE 68138 Contact: Amy Zlotsky Contact: Lindy Rogers 402.438.7530 402.934.8475 Revised December 2017 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District December 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project Location and General Description .......................................................................................................2 1.2 Regulatory Background...................................................................................................................................5 1.3 Project Need....................................................................................................................................................6 1.4 Project Purpose...............................................................................................................................................7 1.5 Prior Reports .................................................................................................................................................10 1.6 Public Notification..........................................................................................................................................10 2.0 EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................................ 12 2.1 Components of On-site, Off-site, and Non-structural Alternatives.................................................................13 2.2 Purpose and Practicability Screening of Alternatives ....................................................................................17 2.2.1 Alternative 1: Raise Levee Embankment and Improve Seepage Berms per USACE ATR Team Design Standards..............................................................................................................17 2.2.2 Alternative 2: Raise Levee Embankment and Improve Seepage Berms per Alternative USACE Design Standards...........................................................................................................18 2.2.3 Alternative 3: Raise Levee Embankment and Improve Seepage Berms per Combination Design Standards........................................................................................................................18 2.2.4 Alternative 4: Raise Levee Embankment and Install Relief Wells ...............................................19 2.2.5 Alternative 5: Raise Levee Embankment and Install Full Cutoff Wall..........................................19 2.2.6 Alternative 6: Construct Floodwalls on Top of Levees and Improve Seepage Berms per USACE ATR Team Design Standards ........................................................................................20 2.2.7 Alternative 7: Construct Floodwalls on Top of Levees and Improve Seepage Berms per Alternative USACE Design Guidance..........................................................................................20 2.2.8 Alternative 8: Construct Floodwalls on Top of Levees and Improve Seepage Berms per Combination USACE Design Guidance.......................................................................................21 2.2.9 Alternative 9: Construct Floodwalls on Top of Levees and Install Relief Wells............................21 2.2.10 Alternative 10: Construct Floodwalls on Top of Levees and Install Full Cutoff Wall ....................22 2.2.11 Alternative 11: Widen the Existing Channel and Improve Seepage Berms per USACE ATR Team Design Standards......................................................................................................23 2.2.12 Alternative 12: Widen the Existing Channel and Improve Seepage Berms per Alternative USACE Design Standards.........................................................................................23 2.2.13 Alternative 13: Widen the Existing Channel and Improve Seepage Berms per Combination Design Standards...................................................................................................24 2.2.14 Alternative 14: Widen the Existing Channel and Install Relief Wells ...........................................24 2.2.15 Alternative 15: Widen the Existing Channel and Install Full Cutoff Wall......................................25 2.2.16 Alternative 16: Provide Channel and Overbank Modifications.....................................................26 2.2.17 Alternative 17: Provide Upstream Storage ..................................................................................26 2.2.18 Alternative 18: Provide Non-Structural Restrictions and Acquire Lands......................................27 Draft Environmental Assessment i Federal Levee Systems R-616-613 and R-613 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District December 2017 2.2.19 Alternative 19: No Action Alternative ...........................................................................................27 2.3 Summary of Purpose and Practicability Screening........................................................................................28 2.4 Aquatic Resources Screening of Alternatives................................................................................................31 2.5 Summary of Aquatic Resources Screening...................................................................................................33 2.6 Alternatives to be Carried Forward................................................................................................................37 2.6.1 Alternative 3 – Proposed Action ..................................................................................................37 2.6.2 Alternative 19 – No Action ...........................................................................................................42 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...............................................................43 3.1 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................................................46 3.2 Environmental Justice....................................................................................................................................47 3.3 Air ..................................................................................................................................................................50 3.4 Noise .............................................................................................................................................................50 3.5 Vegetation and Invasive Species...................................................................................................................51 3.6 Prime Farmland.............................................................................................................................................53 3.7 Floodplain Protection.....................................................................................................................................55 3.8 Economics.....................................................................................................................................................61 3.9 Water Quality.................................................................................................................................................66 3.10 Wetlands........................................................................................................................................................68 3.11 Threatened and Endangered Species...........................................................................................................70 3.12 Fish and Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................76 3.13 Raptors and Migratory Birds..........................................................................................................................77 3.14 Hazardous Materials......................................................................................................................................78 3.15 Recreational Resources ................................................................................................................................83 4.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ............................................................................................................................................. 84 4.1 Past, Present, and Future Activities...............................................................................................................84 4.2 Road Construction.........................................................................................................................................85 4.3 Development .................................................................................................................................................86