Judicial Assistance Grant (JAG) PROJECT Draft NEPA Environmental Assessment for the Mount Lukens Communications System Upgrade Project Prepared for: U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance 810 Seventh Street, NW Washington, DC 20531 Prepared by: UltraSystems Environmental Inc. 16431 Scientific Way Irvine, CA 92618 June 2012 This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need ...................................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Project Description ...................................................................................................... 1-1 1.4 Proposed Action .......................................................................................................... 1-2 1.5 Alternatives Analysis ................................................................................................... 1-2 1.6 Existing Environment ................................................................................................... 1-3 1.7 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 1-3 1.8 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................................... 1-4 1.9 Best Management Practices (Bmp)/Project Design Guidelines-Measures ................... 1-6 1.10 Findings and Determination ....................................................................................... 1-13 2.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Framework For Analysis .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Public Involvement ...................................................................................................... 2-2 2.3 Cooperating and Coordinating Agencies ..................................................................... 2-2 3.0 PURPOSE AND NEED ............................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Background and History .............................................................................................. 3-1 3.2 General Geographic Setting ........................................................................................ 3-1 3.3 Project Need................................................................................................................ 3-2 3.4 Project Purpose ........................................................................................................... 3-2 4.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .............................................................. 4-1 4.1 Screening Criteria For Alternatives .............................................................................. 4-1 4.2 No Action Alternative ................................................................................................... 4-2 4.3 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Further Discussion ............................... 4-2 4.4 Proposed Action Alternative ........................................................................................ 4-2 4.4.1 Project Location and Regional Context ........................................................................ 4-2 4.4.2 Project Facilities .......................................................................................................... 4-4 4.4.3 Electronic Components ............................................................................................... 4-4 4.4.4 Construction Footprint ................................................................................................. 4-4 4.4.5 Temporary Work Areas ............................................................................................... 4-7 4.4.6 Materials Storage and Staging Areas .......................................................................... 4-7 4.4.7 Temporary Right-Of-Way............................................................................................. 4-7 4.4.8 Construction Methods .................................................................................................. 4-8 4.4.9 Construction Equipment and Personnel ....................................................................... 4-8 4.4.10 Construction Equipment .............................................................................................. 4-8 4.5 Operations and Maintenance ..................................................................................... 4-11 4.5.1 Tower Operations ...................................................................................................... 4-11 JAG – Draft Environmental Assessment Report Page i Table of Contents 4.5.2 Pole Or Structure Brushing ........................................................................................ 4-11 4.5.3 Application of Herbicides ........................................................................................... 4-11 4.5.4 Equipment Repair and Replacement ......................................................................... 4-11 4.6 Required Approvals ................................................................................................... 4-12 4.7 Environmental Standards and Applicant Proposed Measures ................................... 4-12 4.7.1 Applicant Proposed Measures ................................................................................... 4-12 4.7.2 Environmental Compliance Management .................................................................. 4-13 4.7.3 Monitoring and Inspection.......................................................................................... 4-13 4.7.4 Reporting and Documentation ................................................................................... 4-13 5.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Noise ........................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.1.1 Study Area .................................................................................................................. 5-3 5.1.2 Ambient Noise Levels .................................................................................................. 5-3 5.1.3 Applicable Noise Regulations ...................................................................................... 5-3 5.1.4 Sensitive Receivers ..................................................................................................... 5-5 5.2 Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 5-7 5.2.1 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................................... 5-7 5.3 Geology and Soils ..................................................................................................... 5-24 5.3.1 Study Area ................................................................................................................ 5-24 5.3.2 Geology ..................................................................................................................... 5-24 5.3.3 Soils .......................................................................................................................... 5-25 5.3.4 Faulting and Seismicity .............................................................................................. 5-25 5.3.5 Ground Rupture and Deformation .............................................................................. 5-26 5.3.6 Liquefaction ............................................................................................................... 5-26 5.3.7 Earthquake-Induced Landslides ................................................................................ 5-27 5.3.8 Groundwater.............................................................................................................. 5-27 5.3.9 Prime Farmlands ....................................................................................................... 5-27 5.4 Water Resources ....................................................................................................... 5-28 5.4.1 Climate ...................................................................................................................... 5-28 5.4.2 Vegetative Cover and Land Use ................................................................................ 5-28 5.4.3 Potentially Affected Surface Water Resources .......................................................... 5-28 5.4.4 Groundwater.............................................................................................................. 5-28 5.4.5 Regulatory Framework .............................................................................................. 5-29 5.5 Biological Resources ................................................................................................. 5-33 5.5.1 Study Area ................................................................................................................ 5-33 5.5.2 Wildlife ......................................................................................................................