United States Department of Environmental Agriculture Forest Assessment Service March 2012 MENDENHALL VALLEY SNOW STORAGE JUNEAU, ALASKA Juneau Ranger District, Tongass National Forest Juneau, Alaska For Information Contact: Jim Case 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 789-6283 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795- 3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Environmental Assessment Mendenhall Valley Snow Storage Table of Contents Summary ....................................................................................................................................... iii Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 Document Structure .................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 1 Purpose and Need for Action ...................................................................................................... 3 Proposed Action .......................................................................................................................... 4 Decision Framework ................................................................................................................... 4 Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................... 6 Issues ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Alternatives, including the Proposed Action ................................................................................ 9 Alternatives ................................................................................................................................. 9 Alternative 1 ............................................................................................................................ 9 Alternative 2 .......................................................................................................................... 11 Mitigation Common to All Alternatives ................................................................................... 15 Comparison of Alternatives ...................................................................................................... 16 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................................... 20 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................ 21 Noise ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Floodplains ................................................................................................................................ 23 Surface Water ............................................................................................................................ 23 Ground Water ............................................................................................................................ 28 Wetlands.................................................................................................................................... 29 Wildlife Habitat ......................................................................................................................... 31 Terrestrial .............................................................................................................................. 31 Riparian/Aquatic ................................................................................................................... 33 Vegetation ................................................................................................................................. 35 Compatible Land Use ................................................................................................................ 36 Outdoor Recreation ................................................................................................................... 38 Environmental Justice ............................................................................................................... 39 Economic and Fiscal Setting ..................................................................................................... 40 Resources Not Affected ............................................................................................................ 41 Roadless Area ....................................................................................................................... 41 Historical and Cultural Resources ......................................................................................... 41 Hazardous Materials and Waste ............................................................................................ 42 Consultation and Coordination ................................................................................................... 43 References ..................................................................................................................................... 44 APPENDICES Appendix A – Cumlative Projects Considered Appendix B – Water Quality Sampling Results Appendix C – Dredge Creek Fish Sampling Memorandum i Environmental Assessment Mendenhall Valley Snow Storage List of Acronyms ADEC ................................................. State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ADFG ....................................................................... State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game ADLWD ................................. State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development AHRS ......................................................................................... Alaska Heritage Resources Survey ANHP ........................................................................................... Alaska Natural Heritage Program AWC ................................................................................................... Anadromous Waters Catalog BE ................................................................................................................... Biological Evaluation BMP ........................................................................................................ Best Management Practice BPA ....................................................................................................................... Bus Parking Area CBJ ....................................................................................................... City and Borough of Juneau CCC...................................................................................................... Civilian Conservation Corps CEQ............................................................................................ Council on Environmental Quality DCM ............................................................................................................ Design Criteria Manual EA .......................................................................................................... Environmental Assessment EPA ...................................................................... United States Environmental Protection Agency FEMA ............................................................................. Federal Emergency Management Agency FSM............................................................................................................... Forest Service Manual GAS.............................................................................................. Gastineau Aeromodeler’s Society HMCP ......................................................................................... Hazardous Materials Control Plan LMP ........................................................................................................ Limited Maintenance Plan MBTA ..................................................................................................... Migratory Bird Treaty Act MGRA .................................................................................... Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area MIS .................................................................................................. Management Indicator Species MOA ...................................................................................................... Municipality