Draft environmental impact statement for the proposed China Mountain wind project and resource management plan amendment

2011·270.2 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. Jarbidge Field Office

BLM LIBRARY
88066232
United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Environmental Impact Statement
(DOI-BLM-ID-T010-2011-0008-EIS)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for the Proposed China Mountain Wind Project
and
Resource Management Plan Amendment
Location: Jarbidge Field Office, Twin Falls County, Idaho
Wells Field Office, Flko County, Nevada
I 243
Ij VOLUME
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2011
V. 2
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME
II V.2
ACRONYMS 0.
0.
0.
CHAPT4E.0R. 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
4.0.
4.0 Environm4.e0n.tal Consequences
4_1
4.0.
1 Introduction 4_j
2 How to Read the Impact Analysis 4.
2.1 Analysis Methods 4_2
2.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-2
4. 2.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-4
4. 2.4 Project as a Whole 4.4
4. 2.5 Cumulative Impacts 4.4
4.1 Physical Resources 4_
j 1
4.1.1 Air Quality U
4_
4.1.1.1 Analysis Methods 4.12
4.1.1.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-14
4.1.1.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-24
4.1.1.4 Project as a Whole 4_26
4.1.1.5 Cumulative Impacts 4_30
4.1.2 Geology
4.1.2.1 Analysis Methods 4.3
4.1.2.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-32
4.1.2.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-38
4.1.2.4 Project as a Whole 4.39
4.1.2.5 Cumulative Impacts 4_41
4.1.3 Soils
4.1.3.1 Analysis Methods 4.4
4.1.3.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-43
4.1.3.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-59
4.1.3.4 Project as a Whole 4_62
4.1.3.5 Cumulative Impacts 4_65
4.1.4 Water Resources 4.57
4.1.4.1 Analysis Methods 4.57
4.1.4.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-68
4.1.4.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes ...4-90
4.1.4.4 Project as a Whole 4.94
4.1.4.5 Cumulative Impacts 4.95
4.1.5 Noise
4.1.5.1 Analysis Methods 4.97
4.1.5.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-102
4.1.5.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-109
4.1.5.4 Project as a Whole 4-109
4.1.5.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-111
March 20J 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
4.2 Biological Resources 4-112
4.2.1 Vegetation 4-112
4.2.1.1 Analysis Methods 4-112
4.2.1.2 Direet and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Faeility 4-1 14
4.2.1.3 Direet and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-140
4.2.1.4 Projeet as a Whole 4-148
4.2.1.5 Cumulative Impaets 4-153
4.2.2 Fish and Wildlife 4-155
4.2.2.1 Analysis Methods 4-156
4.2.2.2 Migratory Birds 4-158
4.2.2.3 Special Status Species 4-183
4.2.2.4 Big Game 4-279
4.3 Soeial and Eeonomic Resourees 4-296
4.3.1 Historic and Cultural Resources 4-296
4.3.1.1 Analysis Methods 4-296
4.3.1.2 Direet and Indireet Impaets ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-300
4.3.1.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-309
4.3.1.4 Project as a Whole 4-310
4.3.1.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-314
4.3.2 Tribal Treaty Rights and Interests 4-315
4.3.2.1 Analysis Methods 4-31
4.3.2.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Faeility 4-316
4.3.2.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-319
4.3.2.4 Projeet as a Whole 4-320
4.3.2.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-320
4.3.3 Economic Conditions 4-321
4.3.3.1 Analysis Methods 4-321
4.3.3.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-327
4.3.3.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-342
4.3.3.4 Projeet as a Whole 4-343
4.3.3.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-344
4.3.3.6 Environmental Justiee 4-350
4.3.4 Visual Resourees 4-350
4.3.4.1 Analysis Methods 4-350
4.3.4.2 Direet and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Faeility 4-358
4.3.4.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-379
4.3.4.4 Projeet as a Whole 4-382
4.3.4.5 Cumulative Impaets 4-389
4.3.5 Transportation and Aeeess 4-390
4.3.5.1 Analysis Methods 4-391
4.3.5.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-392
4.3.5.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-397
4.3.5.4 Projeet as a Whole 4-400
4.3.5.5 Cumulative Impaets 4-400
4.3.6 Public Health and Safety 4-401
4.3.6.1 Analysis Methods 4-401
4.3.6.2 Direet and Indireet Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-402
4.3.6.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-409
March 20 Draft Environmental Impact Statement a
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
4.3.6.4 Project as a Whole 4-41
4.3.6.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-412
4.3.7 Hazardous Materials and Petroleum Products 4-413
4.3.7.1 Analysis Methods 4-413
4.3.7.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-414
4.3.7.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-419
4.3.7.4 Project as a Whole 4-421
4.3.7.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-424
4.3.8 Special Designations 4-424
4.3.8.1 Analysis Methods 4-424
4.3.8.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-425
4.3.8.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-433
4.3.8.4 Project as a Whole 4-433
4.3.8.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-435
4.3.9 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 4-435
4.3.9.1 Analysis Methods 4-435
4.3.9.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-436
4.3.9.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-446
4.3.9.4 Project as a Whole 4-447
4.3.9.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-449
4.3.10 Fire and Fuels Management 4-449
4.3.10.1 Analysis Methods 4-449
4.3.10.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-451
4.3.10.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-465
4.3.10.4 Project as a Whole 4-468
4.3.10.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-469
4.4 Land Use 4-473
4.4.1 Recreation 4-473
4.4.1.1 Analysis Methods 4-473
4.4.1.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-475
4.4.1.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-484
4.4.1.4 Project as a Whole 4-486
4.4.1.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-491
4.4.2 Livestock Grazing 4-49
4.4.2.1 Analysis Methods 4-492
4.4.2.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Wind Energy Facility 4-493
4.4.2.3 Direct and Indirect Impacts ofthe Haul Routes 4-502
4.4.2.4 Project as a Whole 4-504
4.4.2.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-508
4.5 Unavoidable Adverse Effects 4-509
4.6 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment ofResources 4-51
4.7 Relationship Between Short-Term Uses and Long-Tenu Productivity 4-51
March 201 Draff Environmental Impact Statement
1 III
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
CHAPTER 5 - CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION
5.1 Introduction 5-1
5.2 Coordination and Consultation Actions 5-1
5.2.1 Coordination and Govemment-to-Govemment Consultation with Tribes 5-1
5.2.1.1 Shoshone-Paiute Tribes 5-1
5.2.1.2 Shoshone-Bannoek Tribes 5-1
5.2.1.3 Te-Moak Tribe ofthe Western Shoshone 5-1
5.2.2 Coordination with Federal, State, and Loeal Government Ageneies 5-2
5.2.3 Projeet Coordination with Resource Advisory Couneil 5-2
5.2.4 Coordination with Congressional Staffs 5-2
5.2.5 Section 106-NHPA Consultation with State Historie Preservation Officer and
the Advisory Couneil on Historic Preservation 5-2
5.2.6 Section 7-ESA Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviee 5-3
5.2.7 Projeet Coordination with the Wildlife Working Group 5-3
5.3 Public Involvement and Scoping 5-3
5.3.1 Public Scoping Meetings 5-4
5.3.2 Public Comments 5-4
5.3.3 List ofAgeneies, Organizations, and People who Received the LIS 5-4
5.4 List ofPreparers 5-8
CHAPTER 6 - REFERENCES 6-1
GLOSSARY
G-1
INDEX
I-l
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix 2A Design Features Common to All Aetion Alternatives
Appendix 2B Applicants Proposed Best Management Praetiees, Mitigation, and Monitoring
(from the Applieants Plan ofDevelopment) - Applicable to Alternatives B1
and B2a Only
Appendix 3A Proper Functioning Condition Assessed Streams within and near the Project
Area and Haul Routes
Appendix 3B Aeousties Fundamentals
Appendix 3C Bird Survey Data for the China Mountain Wind Projeet Area
Appendix 3D Flight Height Characteristics ofBirds in the China Mountain Project Area
Appendix 3E Special Status Animals in the China Mountain Project Area and Along the
Haul Routes
Appendix 3F Visual Resourees Photo Log
Appendix 3G Visual Resources Assessment and Contrast Rating
Appendix 3H Natural Resouree Recreation Settings ofthe China Mountain Wind Projeet
Appendix 4A Construction and Operation Noise Prediction Details
Appendix 4B Visual Simulations
March 20 Draft Environmental Impact Statement IV
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.0.2-1. China Mountain Wind Project Cumulative Actions Summary Table 4-5
Table 4.1.1-1. Modeled Emission Rates for Project Related Construction Activities for
Alternative B1 4-18
Table 4.1.1-2. Near-Field Modeling/AERMOD Results 4-19
Table 4.1.1-3. Project Greenhouse Gas Emissions 4-19
Table 4.1.1-4. Impact Summary Table - Air Quality 4-26
Table 4.1.2-1. Summary ofImpacts on Geology for the Project by Primary Indicators 4-40
Table 4.1.3-1. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative B 4-45
1
Table 4.1.3-2. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative B2a 4-47
Table 4.1.3-3. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative B2b 4-50
Table 4.1.3-4. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative B2c 4-52
Table 4.1.3-5. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative C 4-55
Table 4.1.3-6. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative D 4-56
Table 4.1.3-7. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative E 4-57
Table 4.1.3-8. Acres ofSoil Disturbance within Areas with Medium or Greater Potential
for Water Erosion and Moderate or Greater Potential for Wind Erosion
under Alternative F 4-58
Table 4.1.3-9. Summary ofImpacts on Soils (in acres) from the Project as a Whole 4-64
Table 4.1.3-10. Summary ofImpacts on Soils (in acres) from the Project as a Whole -
Phased Alternatives 4-65
Table 4.1.4-1. Summary ofProject Area Surface Disturbance (in acres) from
Construction Including the Northern Inbound Haul Route and Both
Options ofthe Southern Inbound Haul Route by Primary Indicators for
Riparian and Wetland Vegetation, Water Quality, and Hydrology ,.4-95
Table 4.1.5-1. Impact Summary Table -Noise 4-1 10
March 201 Draft Environmental Impact Statement V
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
Table 4.2.1-1. Total, Short-tenn, Long-term, and Permanent Impacts on Vegetation (in
acres) from each Action Alternative across all Land Ownerships for the
Wind Energy Facility 4-120
Table 4.2.1-2. Total Impacts on Special Status Plant Potential Habitat (in acres) from
each Action Alternative across all Land Ownerships from the Wind
Energy Facility 4-122
Table 4.2.1-3. Project Roads through Special Status Plant Potential Habitat (in miles) by
Action Alternative 4-123
Table 4.2.1-4. Total, Short-term, Long-term, and Permanent Impacts on Vegetation (in
acres) from each Phase ofAlternative B2a across all Land Ownerships for
the Wind Energy Facility 4-124
Table 4.2.1-5. Total Impacts on Special Status Plant Potential Habitat (in acres) from
each Phase ofAlternative B2a across all Land Ownerships for the Wind
Energy Facility 4-126
Table 4.2.1-6. Total, Short-term, Long-term, and Permanent Impacts on Vegetation (in
acres) from each Phase ofAlternative B2b across all Land Ownerships for
the Wind Energy Facility 4-127
Table 4.2.1-7. Total Impacts on Special Status Plant Potential Habitat (in acres) from
each Phase ofAlternative B2b across all Land Ownerships for the Wind
Energy Facility 4-128
Table 4.2.1-8. Total, Short-term, Long-term, and Penuanent Impacts on Vegetation (in
acres) from each Phase ofAlternative B2c across all Land Ownerships for
the Wind Energy Facility 4-130
Table 4.2.1-9. Total Impacts on Special Status Plant Potential Habitat (in acres) from
each Phase ofAlternative B2c across all Land Ownerships for the Wind
Energy Facility 4-131
Table 4.2.1-10. Permanent Disturbance ofVegetation (in acres) from the Northern
Inbound Haul Route 4-140
Table 4.2.1-11. Total, Short-tenn, and Permanent Disturbance ofVegetation (in acres)
from the Southern Inbound Haul Route Option 1 4-142
Table 4.2.1-12. Total, Short-term, and Permanent Impacts on Special Status Plant
Potential Habitat (in acres) from the Southern Inbound Haul Route
Option 4-144
1
Table 4.2.1-13. Total, Short-term, and Permanent Disturbance ofVegetation (in acres)
from the Southern Inbound Haul Route Option 2 4-145
Table 4.2.1-14. Total, Short-term, and Permanent Impacts on Special Status Plant
Potential Habitat (in acres) from the Southern Inbound Haul Route
Option 2 4-146
Table 4.2.1-15. Number ofAcres ofTotal Vegetation Disturbance by Alternative and
Haul Route 4-149
Table 4.2.1-16. Acres ofTotal Disturbance by Alternative (Including Phases) on Special
Status Plant Potential Habitat from the Project as a Whole 4-151
March 201 Draft Environmental Impact Statement vi
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
Table 4.2.2-1. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative B1 4-162
Table 4.2.2-2. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative B2a 4-163
Table 4.2.2-S. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative B2b 4-164
Table 4.2.2-4. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative B2c 4-165
Table 4.2.2-5. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative C 4-165
Table 4.2.2-6. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative D 4-166
Table 4.2.2-7. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative E 4-167
Table 4.2.2-8. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided Under Alternative F 4-167
Table 4.2.2-9. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided for the Southern Inbound Haul Route
Option 4-168
1
Table 4.2.2-10. Acres ofRaptor Habitat Avoided for the Southern Inbound Haul Route
Option 2 4-169
Table 4.2.2-1 1. Impact Summary Table for Project as a Whole - RaptorNests and
Estimated Fatalities 4-170
Table 4.2.2-12. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative B1 4-174
Table 4.2.2-13. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative B2a 4-175
Table 4.2.2-14. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative B2b 4-175
Table 4.2.2-15. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative B2c 4-176
Table 4.2.2-16. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative C 4-176
Table 4.2.2-17. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative D 4-177
Table 4.2.2-18. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative E 4-177
Table 4.2.2-19. Acres ofHabitat Impacted for Passerines and Other Birds Under
Alternative F 4-178
Table 4.2.2-20. Acres ofPasserine and Other Bird Habitat Removed or Avoided for the
Northern Inbound Haul Route 4-178
Table 4.2.2-21. Acres ofPasserine and Other Bird Habitat Removed or Avoided for the
Southern Inbound Haul Route Option 1 4-179
Table 4.2.2-22. Acres ofPasserine and Other Bird Habitat Removed or Avoided for the
Southern Inbound Haul Route Option 2 4-179
Table 4.2.2-23. Impact Summary Table for Project as a Whole - Passerine Habitat 4-180
Table 4.2.2-24. Impact Summary Table for Project as a Whole - Passerine Estimated
Fatalities 4-182
Table 4.2.2-25. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided -
Alternative B1 4-191
March 201 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement vii
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China Mountain Wind Project Table of Contents
Table 4.2.2-26. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative B1 4-192
Table 4.2.2-27. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided by
Phase - Alternative B2a 4-196
Table 4.2.2-28. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative B2a 4-197
Table 4.2.2-29. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided by
Phase - Alternative B2b 4-202
Table 4.2.2-30. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative B2b 4-202
Table 4.2.2-31. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided by
Phase - Alternative B2c 4-206
Table 4.2.2-32. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative B2c 4-207
Table 4.2.2-33. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided-
Alternative C 4-211
Table 4.2.2-34. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided- Alternative C 4-21
Table 4.2.2-35. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided-
D
Alternative 4-21
Table 4.2.2-36. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative D 4-21
Table 4.2.2-37. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided-
Alternative E 4-214
Table 4.2.2-38. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative E 4-215
Table 4.2.2-39. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided-
Alternative F 4-217
Table 4.2.2-40. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Alternative F 4-217
Table 4.2.2-41. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided -
Northern Inbound Haul Route 4-218
Table 4.2.2-42. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed and Percent ofTotal
Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided -Northern Inbound Haul Route 4-219
Table 4.2.2-43. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Removed and Potentially Avoided-
Southern Inbound Haul Routes 4-220
Table 4.2.2-44. Acres ofSeasonal Sage-grouse Habitat Removed During Construction and
Percent ofTotal Seasonal Habitat Potentially Avoided - Southern Inbound
Haul Routes 4-221
Table 4.2.2-45. Acres ofSage-grouse Habitat Potentially Avoided During Construction of
the Wind Energy Facility - Outbound Haul Route 4-222
March 20 Draft Environmental Impact Statement via
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