Lake Powell Pipeline Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Coconino and Mohave Counties, Arizona Kane and Washington Counties, Utah Estimated Lead Agency Total Costs Associated with Developing this EIS $1,474,000 U.S. Department of the Interior June 2020 Mission Statements Department of the Interior The Department of the Interior conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper. Bureau of Indian Affairs The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission 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. Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Bureau of Reclamation 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. National Park Service The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. U.S. Department of the Interior June 2020 Lake Powell Pipeline Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Coconino and Mohave Counties, Arizona Kane and Washington Counties, Utah Cover Photo: Reclamation, usbr.gov U.S. Department of the Interior June 2020 Lake Powell Pipeline Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Dear Reader: Enclosed is the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Arizona Strip Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for the Lake Powell Pipeline Project (LPP, or Proposed Project). Lead and Cooperating Agencies. The DEIS/Draft RMPA was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) as the Lead Agency, in consultation with the following Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians (Tribe), National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Public Scoping and Comment. Reclamation has incorporated input from various government agencies and organizations into this DEIS/Draft RMPA, considering comments received during public scoping conducted by the BLM from June 22 to August 3, 2018, specifically on the RMPA sub-alternatives, and from December 6, 2019 to January 10, 2020, on the entire Proposed Project, including the sub-alternatives. Proposed Project. This DEIS was prepared to evaluate the potential consequences of the Proposed Project on the human and natural environment as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on projected population growth in Washington County through the year 2060, water demands will exceed Virgin River Basin surface and groundwater supplies, resulting in shortages. A second, reliable water supply is needed to meet existing and future water demand. Pursuant to the Lake Powell Pipeline Development Act, the Utah Board of Water Resources (UBWR) proposes to build a water conveyance system with inline hydroelectric components spanning from Lake Powell’s Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona, to water storage facilities near St. George, Utah (approximately 141 miles in length). Federal Decisions to be Made. The following table lists the decisions to be made by each cooperating agency in response to the UBWR’s proposal under the different action alternatives. Agency Southern Alternative Highway Alternative BIA No decision Right-of-way (ROW) grant BLM ROW grants and RMPA ROW grants NPS ROW permit ROW permit Reclamation Lake Powell Pipeline Project (LPP) water LPP water exchange contract and exchange contract and easement easement USFWS No decision No decision Structure of the DEIS. This document comprises the main body, which provides the primary presentation of the Proposed Project, the baseline conditions, and the evaluation of the proposed action alternatives on the natural and human environment. It also includes supporting appendices. Additional information has been incorporated into the DEIS by reference. The body of the DEIS is organized as follows: • Chapter 1 addresses the purpose and need for the Proposed Project and the decisions to be made based on the UBWR proposal. • Chapter 2 describes two action alternatives and the No Action Alternative. Other alternatives that were considered but eliminated from detailed analysis are also described in Chapter 2. • Chapter 3 describes the affected environment and the direct and indirect effects on individual resources resulting from each alternative. i • Chapter 4 describes the irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources of the action alternatives and No Action Alternative. • Chapter 5 evaluates cumulative effects of the action alternatives and No Action Alternative. • Chapter 6 lists the references used throughout the document. • Chapter 7 lists acronyms throughout the document. • Chapter 8 contains the list of preparers. • Chapter 9 includes an index of key terms used in this document. The following appendices contain supporting information: • Appendix A details the consultation and coordination for the Proposed Project. • Appendix B provides additional detail on the purpose and need for the Proposed Project. • Appendix C includes the Supplemental Resource Reports for all resources. • Appendix D presents the analysis and perspective of the tribes. • Appendix E includes the Plan of Development for the Proposed Project. Final EIS (FEIS). The FEIS/Proposed RMPA will be prepared following public and agency comment on the DEIS/Draft RMPA. Reclamation will file a Notice of Availability with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announcing availability of the FEIS for interested parties to review. Protest. Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §§ 1610.4-8 and 1610.5-1(b), any person who participated in the planning process for this RMPA and has an interest that is or may be adversely affected by the RMPA decision may protest approval of the RMPA decision contained therein. The protest period only applies to the BLM RMPA decision. Governor’s Consistency Review. Pursuant to 43 CFR §§ 1610.3-2(e), prior to the approval of a proposed RMPA, the BLM State Director shall submit to the Governor of the State(s) involved, the RMPA and shall identify any known inconsistencies with State or local plans, policies or programs. Record of Decision. As a “major infrastructure project” under Executive Order 13807, the Proposed Project is subject to the Memorandum of Understanding implementing One Federal Decision. The Secretary of the Interior will issue a Record of Decision outlining the federal agencies’ decision, including the alternative selected and the environmental commitments required of the UBWR. This concludes the NEPA and planning processes. Sincerely, Rick Baxter, Program Manager Interior Region 7 – Upper Colorado Basin Bureau of Reclamation Provo Area Office 302 East Lakeview Parkway Provo, Utah 84606 Phone: (801) 379-1078 Email: [email protected] ii Contents Page Executive Summary ............................................................................................1 ES-1 Project Background ............................................................................................... 1 ES-2 Scoping .................................................................................................................... 2 ES-3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................. 3 ES-4 Alternatives ............................................................................................................. 4 ES-4.1 Comparison of the Action Alternatives ................................................... 4 ES-5 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ............................ 5 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Project Background .................................................................................................. 6 1.2 Statement of Purpose and Need ............................................................................. 8 1.2.1 Need for the Project ....................................................................................... 9 1.2.2 Project Proponent’s Objectives .................................................................... 9 1.2.3 Project Purpose ............................................................................................... 9 1.3 Agency Decisions .....................................................................................................