U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WAPATO LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Draft Environmental Assessment Washington and Yamhill Counties, Oregon TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Purpose and Need for Action .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Development of the Alternatives ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.6 Background of Area ................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.7 Proposed Action Study Area ................................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2 Alternatives ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Introduction and Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 10 2.2 Alternative 1: No Action ..................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3 Alternative 2: Restoration (open connection) ......................................................................................... 14 2.4 Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative): Restoration (pumping) ......................................................... 20 2.5 Alternatives Considered But Not Forwarded for Detailed Analysis ................................................ 23 Chapter 3 Existing Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 25 3.1 Soils ............................................................................................................................................................................. 25 3.2 Hydrology and Vegetation ................................................................................................................................. 25 3.3 Wildlife and Fish .................................................................................................................................................... 26 3.4 Threatened and Endangered Species ............................................................................................................ 28 3.5 Water Quality – Harmful Algal Blooms ........................................................................................................ 29 3.6 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................................................ 30 3.7 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................................................ 31 3.8 Mosquitoes ............................................................................................................................................................... 33 3.9 Neighboring Lands ................................................................................................................................................ 34 3.10 Water Rights ......................................................................................................................................................... 35 3.11 Economics .............................................................................................................................................................. 36 3.12 Land Use ................................................................................................................................................................. 37 3.13 Transportation, Rights-of-Way, and Easements .................................................................................... 39 3.14 Soundscape ........................................................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 4 Environmental Effects .................................................................................................................................... 40 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 40 DRAFT WAPATO LAKE NWR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 4.2 Soils ............................................................................................................................................................................. 46 4.3 Hydrology and Vegetation ................................................................................................................................. 48 4.4 Wildlife and Fish .................................................................................................................................................... 55 4.5 Threatened and Endangered Species ............................................................................................................ 59 4.6 Water Quality – Harmful Algal Blooms ........................................................................................................ 60 4.7 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................................................ 62 4.8 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................................................ 63 4.9 Mosquitos ................................................................................................................................................................. 64 4.10 Neighboring Lands ............................................................................................................................................. 66 4.11 Water Rights ......................................................................................................................................................... 67 4.12 Economics .............................................................................................................................................................. 67 4.13 Land Use ................................................................................................................................................................. 68 4.14 Transportation, Rights of Way, and Easements ..................................................................................... 68 4.15 Soundscape ........................................................................................................................................................... 69 Chapter 5 Cumulative Effects ........................................................................................................................................... 70 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 70 5.2 Cumulative Effects Associated with the Preferred Alternative .......................................................... 70 5.3 Potential Effects from Climate Change ......................................................................................................... 74 Chapter 6 Communication, Consultation, and Coordination ............................................................................... 77 6.1 Public Involvement ............................................................................................................................................... 77 6.2 Individuals Involved with EA Preparation ................................................................................................. 78 6.3 Tribal Coordination .............................................................................................................................................. 79 Chapter 7 References ........................................................................................................................................................... 80 FIGURES Figure 1. Study area showing Refuge acquisition boundary and Service real property interests. ......... 8 Figure 2. Service real property interests inside and outside of the lakebed at Wapato Lake NWR. ...... 9 Figure 3. Map depicting location of water control structures and flow of water within and around the lakebed at Wapato Lake. ............................................................................................................................................