DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Transportation / O.E.S. Complex/Justice Center Blue Lake Rancheria, Humboldt County, California Lead Agency: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs 810 Seventh Street, NW Washington, DC 20531 1.0 333333333333333 Cooperating Agency: Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Council 428 Chartin Road Blue Lake, California 95525 August 2020 Draft Environmental Assessment Transportation / O.E.S. Complex/Justice Center Blue Lake Rancheria Table of Contents DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Transportation / O.E.S. Complex/Justice Center Page 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... viii 2.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Project Description ..................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Background ................................................................................................................. 2 2.3 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action ............................................................. 2 2.4 General Setting ............................................................................................................ 3 2.5 Overview of the Environmental Review Process ..................................................... 3 2.6 Environmental Issues Addressed .............................................................................. 3 2.6.1 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) .................................................................. 3 2.6.2 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ................................................... 4 2.6.3 Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act ......................................... 4 2.6.4 American Indian Religious Freedom Act .................................................................. 5 2.6.5 National Historic Preservation Act ............................................................................ 5 2.6.6 State and Local Agencies ........................................................................................... 5 2.7 Document Contact Information .................................................................................. 5 3.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................... 7 3.1 Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) ................................................................... 7 3.2 Alternative Site Considered (But Eliminated from Further Study) ....................... 14 3.3 No Action Alternative ................................................................................................ 14 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .......................................................... 15 4.1 Land Resources ........................................................................................................ 15 4.1.1 Topography ................................................................................................................ 15 4.1.2 Soil Types and Characteristics ................................................................................ 15 4.1.3 Geologic Setting ........................................................................................................ 16 4.1.4 Seismic Hazards ........................................................................................................ 16 4.1.5 Mineral Resources .................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Water Resources ....................................................................................................... 17 4.2.1 Surface Water ............................................................................................................ 18 4.2.2 Groundwater .............................................................................................................. 18 4.2.3 Floodplains ................................................................................................................ 19 4.2.4 Wetlands .................................................................................................................... 19 4.2.5 Water Quality ............................................................................................................. 20 4.3 Air Quality .................................................................................................................. 2 0 4.4 Biological Resources ................................................................................................ 23 4.4.1 Habitat Types ............................................................................................................. 23 4.4.2 Wildlife........................................................................................................................ 23 4.4.3 Vegetation .................................................................................................................. 23 4.4.4 Sensitive Species and Habitats ............................................................................... 24 4.4.5 Migratory Bird Treaty Act ......................................................................................... 27 4.5 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................... 28 4.5.1 Ethnography and History ......................................................................................... 29 4.5.2 Historic, Cultural, and Religious Properties ........................................................... 29 4.6 Wilderness ................................................................................................................. 29 August 2020 i Draft Environmental Assessment Transportation / O.E.S. Complex/Justice Center Blue Lake Rancheria Table of Contents 4.7 Sound and Noise ....................................................................................................... 29 4.8 Public Health and Safety .......................................................................................... 29 4.9 Aesthetics .................................................................................................................. 30 4.10 Socioeconomic Conditions ...................................................................................... 30 4.10.1 Employment and Income ...................................................................................... 30 4.11 Attitudes, Expectations, Lifestyle, and Cultural Values ........................................ 31 4.12 Community Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 31 4.12.1 Fire Protection and Emergency Services ........................................................... 31 4.12.2 Law Enforcement .................................................................................................. 32 4.12.3 Schools .................................................................................................................. 32 4.12.4 Solid Waste Disposal ............................................................................................ 32 4.12.5 Gas and Electric Services .................................................................................... 32 4.12.6 Communications Service ..................................................................................... 32 4.12.7 Water Service ......................................................................................................... 33 4.12.8 Sanitary Sewer Services ....................................................................................... 33 4.13 Resource Use Patterns ............................................................................................. 33 4.13.1 Hunting, Fishing, Gathering ................................................................................. 33 4.13.2 Timber .................................................................................................................... 33 4.13.3 Agriculture ............................................................................................................. 33 4.13.4 Mineral Resources ................................................................................................ 33 4.13.5 Recreation .............................................................................................................. 33 4.13.6 Transportation Network ........................................................................................ 34 4.13.7 Land Use Plans ...................................................................................................... 34 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ......................................................................... 36 5.1 Land Resources ........................................................................................................ 43 5.2 Topography ................................................................................................................ 43 5.2.1 Soil Types and Characteristics ................................................................................ 43 5.2.2 Geologic Setting ........................................................................................................ 43 5.2.3 Seismic Hazards ........................................................................................................ 44 5.2.4