CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 4.1 ORGANIZATION . 4-1 4.2 AIR QUALITY . 4-5 4.3 GEOLOGY RESOURCES . 4-17 4.4 SOIL RESOURCES . 4-21 4.5 SURFACE WATER . 4-35 4.6 GROUNDWATER . 4-45 4.7 WETLANDS . 4-53 4.8 VEGETATION . 4-63 4.9 WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES . 4-73 4.10 THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF CONCERN . 4-97 4.11 FIRE MANAGEMENT . 4-107 4.12 CULTURAL RESOURCES . 4-115 4.13 SOCIOECONOMICS . 4-125 4.14 PUBLIC ACCESS AND RECREATION . 4-143 4.15 SUBSISTENCE . 4-155 4.16 NOISE . 4-167 4.17 HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY . 4-181 4.18 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE . 4-193 4.19 INFRASTRUCTURE . 4-201 4.20 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS . 4-219 Transformation Environmental Impact Statement Final U.S. Army Alaska CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 4.1 ORGANIZATION This section includes a discussion of the environmental impacts associated with the proposed action, any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided should transformation be implemented, the relationship between short-term uses of the environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented (CEQ Regulation 1502.16, Environmental Consequences). Direct and indirect effects and their signifi cance, cumulative effects, and means to mitigate adverse environmental impacts are also discussed for each resource. Issues A through F in the textbox below were identifi ed during public scoping as issues of concern (see Section 1.8). 4-1 Transformation Environmental Impact Statement Final U.S. Army Alaska Section Category Page Number 4.2 Air Quality 4-5 4.3 Geology Resources 4-17 4.4 Soil Resources (Issue D) 4-21 4.5 Surface Water 4-35 4.6 Groundwater 4-45 4.7 Wetlands (Issues C & D) 4-53 4.8 Vegetation 4-63 4.9 Wildlife and Fisheries (Issue C) 4-73 Threatened or Endangered Species and Species of 4.10 4-95 Concern 4.11 Fire Management (Issue E) 4-105 4.12 Cultural Resources (Issue F) 4-113 4.13 Socioeconomics 4-123 4.14 Public Access and Recreation (Issues A & C) 4-141 4.15 Subsistence 4-153 4.16 Noise 4-165 4.17 Human Health and Safety (Issue B) 4-179 4.18 Environmental Justice 4-191 4.19 Infrastructure 4-199 4.20 Cumulative Impacts 4-217 4.1.1 Methodology A limited number of studies regarding resources on U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK) lands have been conducted by the military or federal and state agencies. In many instances, comparative data were incomplete and/or unavailable. Where data were available, site specifi c references are included within the individual resource sections. In cases where quantitative data were incomplete and/or unavailable, the information is compared qualitatively. The impact categories “none” and “minor” are considered insignifi cant impacts and the impact categories “moderate” and “severe” are considered signifi cant. Existing and proposed mitigation measures are explained in detail in the respective resource sections of this chapter. Comparison of impacts under each alternative is measured against the baseline described in Chapter 3, Affected Environment. Therefore, impacts under the No Action Alternative (Alternative 1) may still indicate some degree of impact from ongoing military activities and projects. 4.1.2 Restatement of Proposed Action The action proposed by USARAK is to transform the 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate) (172nd SIB) into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). The SBCT is a step towards the Future 4-2 Transformation Environmental Impact Statement Final U.S. Army Alaska Force. The proposed action also includes the transformation of USARAK to provide a baseline capability and foundation to support interim and future Army transformation requirements. The proposed action includes changes to force structure and stationing, and modifi cations of ranges, facilities, and infrastructure designed to meet the objectives of Army transformation in Alaska. Proposed locations for changes in force structure and stationing include Fort Wainwright (FWA) and Fort Richardson (FRA). Proposed activity changes on FWA would occur within the cantonment area, Tanana Flats Training Area (TFTA), Yukon Training Area (YTA), and Donnelly Training Area (DTA) (formerly Fort Greely). The outlying Gerstle River and Black Rapids training areas would also be affected. Proposed activity changes on FRA would occur within the cantonment area and all outlying training areas and ranges. Table 4.1.a contains a summary matrix comparing the readiness requirements of Alternatives 1, 3 and 4. Table 4.1.a Comparison of Readiness Requirements for Each Alternative by Activity Group. Alternatives 4 3 Activity Group 1 Transform with New Transform with New No Action Infrastructure and Infrastructure1 Airborne Task Force1 Stationing Total Personnel 6,577 7,610 7,912 FWA 4,393 5,407 5,407 FRA 2,184 2,203 2,505 Construction Projects Continue mission- Construct fi ve new Construct fi ve new essential projects facilities facilities Training Mission New SBCT and Continue existing New SBCT mission Airborne Task Force Current Force mission mission Live-Fire Training Impact Areas (acres) 281,093 No change No change Annual Total 9,420,780 14,304,061 17,204,842 Munitions (rounds) Maneuver Training Maneuver Space 67,092 120,844 138,300 (km2 days) Maneuver Impact 31,600 158,200 161,300 Miles Maneuver Impact Miles Capacity Summer 375,284 No change No change Winter 8,661,642 No change No change 4-3 Transformation Environmental Impact Statement Final U.S. Army Alaska Table 4.1.a cont. Comparison of Readiness Requirements for Each Alternative by Activity Group. Alternatives 4 3 Activity Group 1 Transform with New Transform with New No Action Infrastructure and Infrastructure1 Airborne Task Force1 Systems Acquisition Weapons Small Arms 3,437 6,839 7,978 Artillery 30 97 134 Vehicle 0 293 293 Anti-tank 0 121 121 Demolition 0 7 7 Total Weapons 3,467 7,357 8,533 Vehicles Stryker 0 322 322 UAV 0 4 4 SUSV 230 90 125 HMMWV 528 684 790 MTV 268 278 358 Other 151 221 241 Total Vehicles 1,177 1,599 1,840 Deployments Platoon FWA-YTA 108 144 160 Company FWA-DTA 24 40 40 FRA-DTA 4 8 16 Battalion FWA-DTA 2 4 4 FRA-DTA 1 1 2 Total Unit Deployment Miles 437,600 742,000 1,009,600 Per Year 1 Numbers indicate end-state totals. 4-4 Transformation Environmental Impact Statement Final U.S. Army Alaska 4.2 AIR QUALITY This section analyzes and compares the air quality impacts associated with each alternative. Baseline data for this comparison was presented in Section 3.2. Additional air quality information is presented in Appendix F. 4.2.1 Background Ambient air quality refers to the atmospheric concentration of specifi c pollutants exhibited in a particular geographic location. Many factors infl uence ambient air quality. Local, regional, and global meteorological patterns infl uence the movement and dispersion of air contaminants over time and space. As described in Section 3.2, activity rates and the physical attributes of air emission sources infl uence air quality as well. Air quality was identifi ed as an issue of concern by U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK) and is analyzed in detail. Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM10) were identifi ed as pollutants of concern for the region and were therefore evaluated in this document. 4.2.2 Review of Impacts to Air Quality Impacts to air quality from Army activities include emissions from stationary sources such as power plants and heating systems, emissions from mobile sources, dust and possibly hazardous air pollutants from demolition and remodeling of existing facilities, and temporary emissions and dust from construction activities. 4.2.3 Activity Groups That Affect Air Quality The table below summarizes SBCT transformation activity groups that have the potential to impact ambient air quality on and in the vicinity of USARAK lands. These activity groups were fi rst identifi ed in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Army’s Transformation (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2002) and further defi ned in Chapter 2, Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives, of this Environmental Impact Statement. The textbox below lists activity groups that could affect air quality due to transformation. Activity Groups with Impacts Activity Groups Without Impacts • Stationing • Construction • Training None • Systems Acquisition • Deployment • Institutional Matters 4.2.3.1 Stationing Transformation would result in additional personnel stationed at Fort Wainwright (FWA) and Fort Richardson (FRA) (Table 4.1.a). Increased stationing of personnel could result in impacts to air quality through increased emissions from personal vehicles and general increased energy consumption. 4-5 Transformation Environmental Impact Statement Final U.S. Army Alaska 4.2.3.2 Construction Proposed construction projects associated with transformation include the company operations facilities at FWA; the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) maintenance support facility at Donnelly Training Area (DTA); and the mission support training facility, new barracks facilities, and development of the Port of Anchorage deployment staging area at FRA (Appendix D). These construction activities could affect air quality in the form of short-term, direct impacts. These short-term impacts would be generated from the temporary operation of heavy-duty construction equipment, the installation of temporary heaters, and increased vehicular traffi c attributed to construction personnel. 4.2.3.3 Training The frequency and intensity of maneuver and weapons training could increase if USARAK were to transform (Table 4.1.a). The training mission of USARAK would change as a result of SBCT transformation. The fi elding of the new Stryker is the primary training-related, ambient air quality impact associated with transformation.