Municipal, Rural, and Industrial Water System Crow Reservation, Montana Final Environmental Assessment November 2016 This page intentionally left blank. Mission Statements The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated 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 mission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives. This page intentionally left blank. Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION ........................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Authority ............................................................................................................. 1-2 1.3 Purpose of the Proposed Action ......................................................................... 1-2 1.4 Need for the Proposed Action ............................................................................ 1-2 1.5 Benefits and Opportunities ................................................................................. 1-3 1.6 Nature of Decision to be Made ........................................................................... 1-4 1.7 Issues to be Evaluated ........................................................................................ 1-4 1.8 Jurisdiction and Permits ...................................................................................... 1-5 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ......................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Alternatives Development and Screening .......................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Needs Assessment and Engineering Report ....................................... 2-1 2.2.2 Master Plan Screening Summary ........................................................ 2-3 2.2.3 Water Treatment Process Alternatives Screening Summary .............. 2-5 2.2.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................... 2-6 2.3 No Action Alternative ......................................................................................... 2-6 2.4 Proposed Action Alternative ............................................................................... 2-7 2.4.1 Project Components ............................................................................ 2-7 2.4.2 Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement ................................... 2-18 2.4.3 Community Upgrades ....................................................................... 2-19 2.4.4 Project Construction ......................................................................... 2-19 2.4.5 Environmental Commitments ........................................................... 2-23 2.5 Comparison of Effects of Alternatives .............................................................. 2-30 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ....................................................... 3-2 3.2.1 Social and Economic Regulations ........................................................ 3-2 3.2.2 Population and Projected Growth of the Reservation Service Area ... 3-2 3.2.3 Reservation Employment, Education, Economy and Businesses ........ 3-3 3.2.4 Minority, Low-Income Populations and Household Economy ............ 3-5 3.2.5 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ............................................. 3-6 3.3 Public Health and Safety ................................................................................... 3-10 3.3.1 Public Health Regulations ................................................................. 3-10 3.3.2 Existing Drinking Water Quality ........................................................ 3-12 3.3.3 Existing Water Supply Infrastructure and Fire Safety ....................... 3-13 3.3.4 Existing Hazardous Waste and Pollution ........................................... 3-13 3.3.5 Existing Infrastructure and Utilities ................................................... 3-14 3.3.6 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-14 i 3.4 Water Resources ............................................................................................... 3-16 3.4.1 Water Regulations and Water Quality Standards ............................. 3-17 3.4.2 Existing Water Resources and Water Rights ..................................... 3-17 3.4.3 Existing Surface Water Quality .......................................................... 3-20 3.4.4 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-20 3.5 Fisheries and Aquatic Life ................................................................................. 3-26 3.5.1 Fisheries and Aquatic Species Regulations ....................................... 3-26 3.5.2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................ 3-27 3.5.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-29 3.6 Geology and Soils .............................................................................................. 3-32 3.6.1 Soil Regulations ................................................................................. 3-32 3.6.2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................ 3-32 3.6.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-35 3.7 Vegetation and Land Use .................................................................................. 3-37 3.7.1 Vegetation Regulations ..................................................................... 3-37 3.7.2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................ 3-38 3.7.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-43 3.8 Cultural and Trust Resources ............................................................................ 3-45 3.8.1 Cultural and Trust Regulations .......................................................... 3-45 3.8.2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................ 3-46 3.8.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-48 3.9 Wetlands and Floodplains ................................................................................ 3-49 3.9.1 Wetland and Floodplain Regulations ................................................ 3-49 3.9.2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................ 3-50 3.9.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-51 3.10 Wildlife .............................................................................................................. 3-52 3.10.1 Wildlife Laws and Regulations .......................................................... 3-52 3.10.2 Existing Wildlife and Habitat ............................................................. 3-53 3.10.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-57 3.11 Aesthetic and Visual Resources ........................................................................ 3-59 3.11.1 Existing Visual Resources and Scenic Quality .................................... 3-59 3.11.2 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-60 3.12 Air Quality, Noise and Traffic ............................................................................ 3-63 3.12.1 Air Quality, Noise, and Traffic Regulations ....................................... 3-63 3.12.2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................ 3-64 3.12.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-65 3.13 Climate Change ................................................................................................. 3-66 3.13.1 Existing Climate ................................................................................. 3-67 3.13.2 Future Climate ................................................................................... 3-67 3.13.3 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects ........................................... 3-68 4.0 LIST OF PREPARERS ................................................................................................... 4-1 5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ....................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Scoping and Public Involvement ......................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Tribal