Arizona Heritage Trail System Draft Environmental Assessment LC-16-14 Lower Colorado Region, Boulder City, NV U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation National Park Service April 2017 Boulder City, NV Arizona Heritage Trail Draft EA LC-16-14 Mission Statements The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. Cover Photo: Looking south towards Bullhead City and Laughlin from proposed Heritage Trail System segment south of Davis Camp entrance. Arizona Heritage Trail Draft EA LC-16-14 Contents Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction and Purpose and Need ........................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background for the Purpose and Need .......................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Previous NEPA Documents and Actions ....................................................................... 2 1.4 Related Laws, Policies, and Planning Documents ......................................................... 3 2.0 Description of Alternatives ..................................................................................................... 3 2.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Proposed Action Alternative 1 ....................................................................................... 4 2.2.1 Trailheads ............................................................................................................ 4 2.2.2 Trails ................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.3 Day-Use Facilities ............................................................................................... 6 2.2.4 Transportation ..................................................................................................... 6 2.2.5 Interpretive Signs ................................................................................................ 7 2.2.6 Fencing ................................................................................................................ 7 2.2.7 Utilities ................................................................................................................ 7 2.2.8 Operation and Maintenance of the Trail ............................................................. 8 2.2.9 Road closures and Associated Seeding and Native Vegetation Planting ........... 8 2.3 Alternative 2 Trail .......................................................................................................... 8 2.4 Design Features and Mitigation Measures ..................................................................... 8 2.5 Alternatives Considered but Not Evaluated in Detail .................................................. 10 3.0 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences .................................................... 18 3.1 Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Projects ........................................ 18 3.1.1 Past Projects ...................................................................................................... 18 3.1.2 Present Actions ................................................................................................. 19 3.1.3 Reasonably Foreseeable Future Projects .......................................................... 19 3.2 Resources Considered but not Discussed Further ........................................................ 19 3.3 Resources Discussed Further ....................................................................................... 20 3.3.1 Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases/Climate Change .............................................. 20 3.3.1.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 21 3.3.1.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 21 3.3.2 Visual Resources ............................................................................................... 23 3.3.2.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 23 3.3.2.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 23 3.3.3 Biological Resources ........................................................................................ 24 3.3.3.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 24 3.3.3.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 26 3.3.4 Cultural Resources/Traditional Cultural Properties/Sacred Sites ..................... 28 3.3.4.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 28 3.3.4.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 29 3.3.5 Floodplains ........................................................................................................ 30 3.3.5.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 30 3.3.5.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 30 3.3.6 Hydrology and Water Quality ........................................................................... 32 Contents i Arizona Heritage Trail Draft EA LC-16-14 3.3.6.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 32 3.3.6.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 34 3.3.7 Soil .................................................................................................................... 35 3.3.7.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 35 3.3.7.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 35 3.3.8 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ..................................................... 35 3.3.8.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 36 3.3.8.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 37 3.3.9 Recreation ......................................................................................................... 38 3.3.9.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 38 3.3.9.2 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................... 38 4.0 Coordination and Consultation .............................................................................................. 40 4.1 Agencies Consulted ...................................................................................................... 40 4.2 National Historic Preservation Act Consultation ......................................................... 40 4.3 Endangered Species Act Consultation ......................................................................... 41 4.4 Scoping/Public Involvement ........................................................................................ 41 5.0 References ............................................................................................................................. 43 6.0 List of Preparers and Contributors ........................................................................................ 47 List of Figures Figure 1- Project Location Map .................................................................................................... 11 Figure 2- Proposed Trail Alternative 1 ......................................................................................... 12 Figure 3- Proposed Trail Alternative 2 ......................................................................................... 13 Figure 4- Mohave Spur Section .................................................................................................... 14 Figure 5- Davis Dam Road and Desert Trail Sections .................................................................. 15 Figure 6- Davis Camp Section ...................................................................................................... 16 Figure 7- Laughlin Bullhead City Bridge Section ........................................................................ 17 Figure 8- Wetlands .......................................................................................................................