Draft Environmental Assessment Reaches WS-1E and WS-1F (MC-1, MC-2, and MC-3) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Gila River Indian Community Maricopa County, Arizona U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix Area Office Phoenix, Arizona July 2015 DISCLAIMER Pursuant to the requirements of 40 CFR Section 1506.5, EcoPlan Associates, Inc., declares under oath that it has no interest, financial or otherwise, in the outcome of this project. July 30, 2015 F. Bruce Brown Date Principal EcoPlan Associates, Inc. Mesa, Arizona Draft Environmental Assessment Reaches WS-1E and WS-1F (MC-1, MC-2, and MC-3) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Gila River Indian Community Maricopa County, Arizona Prepared for: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix Area Office Phoenix, Arizona Prepared by: EcoPlan Associates, Inc. 701 W. Southern Ave., Suite 203 Mesa, AZ 85210 July 2015 Mission Statements The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to 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. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Purpose and Need for Action ........................................................................................ 3 1.4 Project Location ............................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Decisions to Be Made ................................................................................................... 3 1.6 Prior Compliance With NEPA ...................................................................................... 3 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................ 5 2.1 No Action ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Proposed Action ............................................................................................................ 5 2.2.1 Reach WS-1E .................................................................................................. 5 2.2.2 Reach WS-1F ................................................................................................... 7 2.2.3 Lateral MC-1 ................................................................................................... 7 2.2.4 Lateral MC-2 ................................................................................................... 7 2.2.5 Lateral MC-3 ................................................................................................... 8 2.2.6 Project Construction ........................................................................................ 8 2.3 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated ...................................................................... 8 2.3.1 Open Canal Delivery System Alternative ....................................................... 8 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ............... 9 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Land Ownership, Jurisdiction, and Land Use ............................................................... 9 3.2.1 Affected Environment ..................................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 10 3.3 Visual Resources ......................................................................................................... 12 3.3.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 12 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 12 3.4 Environmental Justice ................................................................................................. 13 3.4.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 13 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 14 Draft Environmental Assessment i Reaches WS-1E and WS-1F (MC-1, MC-2, and MC-3) 3.5 Socioeconomic Conditions ......................................................................................... 14 3.5.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 14 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 15 3.6 Indian Trust Assets ..................................................................................................... 15 3.6.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 15 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 15 3.7 Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................... 16 3.7.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 16 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 20 3.8 Geology and Soils ....................................................................................................... 24 3.8.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 24 3.8.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 25 3.9 Water Resources and Water Quality ........................................................................... 26 3.9.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 26 3.9.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 26 3.10 Floodplains and Flooding ........................................................................................... 27 3.10.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 27 3.10.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 28 3.11 Biological Resources .................................................................................................. 28 3.11.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 28 3.11.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 31 3.12 Noise ........................................................................................................................... 35 3.12.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 35 3.12.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 35 3.13 Air Quality .................................................................................................................. 36 3.13.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 36 3.13.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 37 3.14 Hazardous Materials ................................................................................................... 39 3.14.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 39 3.14.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 39 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS ............................................................................ 41 5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ..................................................................... 44 Draft Environmental Assessment ii Reaches WS-1E and WS-1F (MC-1, MC-2, and MC-3) 5.1 Agencies and Persons Contacted ................................................................................ 44 5.2 Public and Agency Comments on the Draft EA ......................................................... 44 6.0 LIST OF PREPARERS........................................................................................................ 45 7.0 RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS/DIRECTIVES ................................................... 46 8.0 LITERATURE CITED ........................................................................................................ 49 APPENDICES Appendix A Geometric Plans Showing Temporary Construction Easements and Permanent Irrigation Easements Appendix B Revised Programmatic Agreement Appendix C Concurrences with Class I Report Appendix D Concurrences with Treatment Plan Appendix E Cultural Resources Within the Area of Potential Effects