Evaluation for the Angoon Airport

988 Pages·2016·49.57 MB·English

Final Environmental Impact Statement
and Section 4(f) Evaluation
Federal Aviation
SEPTEMBER 2016
Administration

September 2016
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration has prepared an environmental impact statement for the construction of a land-
based airport at Angoon, Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska.
Lead Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Federal Aviation Administration presents this environmental impact statement for review pursuant to the following public law requirements: the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law [PL] 91-190), as amended, focused on Section 102(2)(C); Executive Order (EO) 11990,
Protection of Wetlands; EO 11998, Floodplain Management; the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, recodified at 49 United States Code (USC) Section 40101
et seq.; the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended, recodified at 49 USC 47101 et seq.; Section 4(f) of the Department of
Transportation Act of 1966, recodified at 49 USC 303, as amended; Wilderness Act of 1964 (PL 88-577); Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act
of 1972 (PL 107-303); Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC 1531 et seq.), as amended; the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
of 1934 (16 USC 661-667e) as amended; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 USC 703–712), as amended; the Clean Air Act of 1970 (PL 91-
604), as amended; the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 102-575), as amended; the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 USC 31);
essential fish habitat requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (PL 94-265), as amended by the Sustainable
Fisheries Act (PL 109-479); Titles VIII and XI of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (PL 96-487), as amended; the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 (43 USC 1601 et seq.); and other laws as applicable.
After careful and thorough consideration of the information contained herein and following consideration of the views of those Federal agencies having
jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to the environmental impacts described, the undersigned finds that the proposed Federal action is
consistent with existing national environmental policies and objectives as set forth in Section 101(a) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Federal Aviation Administration Official:
Leslie Grey, Lead Environmental Program Manager, AAL-611 / Federal Aviation Administration, Alaskan Region, Airports Division
222 West 7th Avenue, #14 / Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7587 / Telephone: [phone] / Email: [email protected]
_________________________________
Byron K. Huffman
Manager, Airports Division
Alaskan Region
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READER’S GUIDE
Welcome to the Angoon Airport Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS was prepared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and
addresses the possible construction and operation of a land-based airport for the community of Angoon in Southeast Alaska.
This guide is intended to help the reader understand the structure of the EIS and make it easier to find information. The EIS is available in two formats: as
a hyperlinked, interactive Adobe Systems Portable Document Format (PDF) and as a printed and bound book. The two formats have identical content and
organization.
What is the origin of the Angoon Airport EIS logo?
What is the best way to view the electronic
version of the document? The Angoon Airport EIS logo was developed specifically for the Angoon Airport EIS and symbolizes a
bird looking over its shoulder. The imagery of the bird was chosen to represent flight. The color
This PDF is best viewed using Adobe Reader with the “Fit one
scheme and overall style of the logo were selected to honor the Alaska Native Tlingit culture of the
full page to window” button clicked on (in the center of the people of Angoon. The FAA developed this logo in consultation with Angoon community
Adobe Reader user interface at the top). representatives, being careful not to simply copy Alaska Native clan symbols or totems and in the
process inadvertently devalue the importance of those symbols and totems for individual clan
Please note that if this document is viewed on a non-Windows members.
tablet, the “Back to Last Location” button will not function. In
such cases, the best method by which to navigate this document
is to open it with a PDF reader and use the built-in bookmarks.
The Section 508 amendment of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
requires that the information in federal documents be accessible
to individuals with disabilities. The FAA has made every effort
to ensure that the information in the Angoon Airport
Environmental Impact Statement is accessible. If you have any
problems accessing information, please contact Leslie Grey at
[email protected] or [phone].
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How is the EIS organized?
Terms to know
The Angoon Airport EIS contains the following components:
Alternative: A term used in the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (Public Law [PL] 91-190)
• Chapter 1: Project Background – Planning for a Land-Based Airport at Angoon. This chapter
that refers to a required option for a project.
explains the EIS process, describes the proposed airport project, and introduces the Angoon Alternatives must meet the goals of the project while
area. providing different possibilities for how the project
would affect the environment.
• Chapter 2: Purpose of and Need for a Land-Based Airport at Angoon. This chapter explains
Analysis: Used here, an assessment or study of
why the Angoon Airport has been proposed, how the proposed action was developed, and some
something to answer a question. EIS analyses identify
of the steps the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must follow throughout the EIS
similarities or differences among the various
process.
alternatives’ effects on the environment. This allows
comparison of the alternatives to each other and to the
• Chapter 3: Alternatives. This chapter describes and compares the alternatives analyzed in this
no action alternative.
EIS and summarizes the effects from each alternative as detailed in Chapter 4: Existing
Effects: In the context of an EIS, effects are potential
Conditions and Project Effects.
changes to the environment from alternatives.
• Chapter 4: Existing Conditions and Project Effects. This chapter, the longest in the EIS, is
Mitigate: To reduce or offset an effect on the
organized into sections based on the resources and issues analyzed. Each section introduces the environment.
resource or issue, describes the current condition or situation, and explains the analysis of the
Resource: A natural, cultural, or social feature that is
anticipated effects from each alternative and whether those effects would be significant.
valued for its role in the human environment, economy,
or society. Examples include archaeological sites,
• Chapter 5: Requirements of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).
vegetation and wildlife, visual resources (how the land
This chapter introduces the law and explains its role in the Angoon Airport EIS process.
appears), and water bodies such as streams and
wetlands.
• Chapter 6: Construction Effects. This chapter discusses effects that would be temporary and
that would occur only during actual construction.
• Chapter 7: Mitigation. This chapter explains measures that would be used to mitigate the potential effects of the proposed Angoon Airport.
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• Chapter 8: Cumulative Effects. This chapter builds on the descriptions of the existing conditions and project effects for each resource analyzed in
Chapter 4. It describes any additional effects that could result from the implementation of other actions or projects when combined with the
Angoon Airport project.
• Chapter 9: Coordination and Consultation. This chapter explains how the FAA coordinated and consulted with local, state, and federal agencies;
stakeholders; tribal organizations; and the public during the preparation of the EIS.
• Chapter 10: List of Preparers. This chapter lists the individuals responsible for preparing this EIS.
• Appendices: Numerous appendices are provided. Many report the technical or field studies conducted to establish the baseline conditions
presented in Chapter 4. Others demonstrate the FAA’s compliance with certain requirements.

Figure RG-1. A view of Angoon from Favorite Bay.

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How can the reader find certain information?
What is discussed in this section?
This EIS provides several tools to help the reader find information. The tools have been designed to
Green boxes are for navigation. These boxes list the
make them equally useful to readers of either the interactive PDF format or the hard copy format:
subsections in a given section and, in the interactive
PDF, provide hyperlinks to the specified locations.
• A table of contents.
• Heading numbers: Each chapter and section has a unique number as part of its heading.
Terms to know
• Colored sidebar boxes: Throughout the EIS colored boxes appear at the right side of some
pages. Tan boxes contain the definitions of terms used in the
text. The definitions will appear on the same page
Green boxes provide subsection numbers.
o where the term is first used in a given chapter or
Tan boxes define “terms to know,” usually scientific or legal terms that may be section. The term will be in bold, italicized font. Unless
o
unfamiliar to some readers. formally cited, definitions are stated in simplest terms
for the purposes of this EIS.
Blue boxes provide supplementary information to enhance the reader’s general
o
understanding.
Additional information
• In-text references to sections, tables, and figures: When a reader is directed to a section of
the EIS or to a figure, table, or other section, that reference is provided as a clear and unique Blue boxes contain general or additional information
identifier, for example, “see section 7.3 in Chapter 7: Mitigation.” that illuminates a specific topic. Technical information
critical to the decision-making process is never
• Hyperlinks: Throughout the interactive PDF format, locational information for any section,
presented in these information boxes. The blue boxes
table, or figure is hyperlinked so readers of that format can jump directly there without
are only for supplementary information.
scrolling or paging up and down. These hyperlinks appear in many places, including the
table of contents, sidebar boxes, and in-text references.
• Navigation buttons: At the bottom of each page is a set of navigation buttons:
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In the interactive PDF format, a single click of the “Table of Contents” button takes the reader to the table of contents. From there one can
navigate to another chapter or section. A single click of the “Back to Last Location” button takes the reader back one step to the previous location.
This button is especially helpful in retracing one’s steps through the document.
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CONTENTS
READER'S GUIDE .................................................................................... i 1.6. How are lands near Angoon managed? ..................................... 9
ES-1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................ ES-1 1.7. What is the Federal Aviation Administration’s role in
ES-1.1. What information is provided in the executive summary? .. ES-1 considering this project? ........................................................... 11
ES-1.2. What is the proposed action, and who is proposing it? ...... ES-1 1.8. What other agencies or entities are involved in the
proposed Angoon Airport project? ............................................ 12
ES-1.3. What is the purpose and need for the airport project? ....... ES-4
1.9. How would this project be funded? ........................................... 13
ES-1.4. How did the FAA identify the resources and issues
analyzed in the EIS? .......................................................... ES-4 1.10. What previous studies and actions led to this EIS? .................. 13
ES-1.5. Are there issues to be resolved? ........................................ ES-5 2. PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR A LAND-BASED AIRPORT
AT ANGOON .................................................................................... 15
ES-1.6. What other agencies and entities are involved in the
proposed Angoon Airport project? ..................................... ES-8 2.1. What information is provided in Chapter 2? .............................. 15
ES-1.7. Which alternatives are analyzed in the EIS? ...................... ES-8 2.2. What is the proposed action? .................................................... 16
ES-1.8. Were any other alternatives considered? ......................... ES-13 2.3. What is the purpose and need for the airport project? .............. 18
ES-1.9. What other actions may be related to the Angoon Airport 2.4. How was the proposed action developed? ............................... 24
project? ............................................................................. ES-13 2.5. How does the FAA account for current and future aviation
ES-1.10. Summary of environmental effects ................................... ES-14 demand? ................................................................................... 25
ES-1.11. Requirements of the Alaska National Interest Lands 2.6. How did the FAA identify the resources and issues
Conservation Act .............................................................. ES-30 analyzed in this EIS?................................................................. 26
ES-1.12. Construction effects .......................................................... ES-36 2.7. What determinations, findings, and actions are associated
ES-1.13. Mitigation .......................................................................... ES-39 with this EIS? ............................................................................ 28
ES-1.14. Cumulative effects ............................................................. ES 41 2.8. Would any additional actions be needed because the
proposed action is located in the Monument–Wilderness
1. PROJECT BACKGROUND – PLANNING FOR A LAND- Area?......................................................................................... 30
BASED AIRPORT AT ANGOON ...................................................... 1
3. ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................. 31
1.1. What information is provided in Chapter 1? ............................... 1
3.1. What information is provided in Chapter 3? .............................. 31
1.2. What is an EIS, and why is one written? .................................... 1
3.2. Why is the FAA considering other alternatives in addition
1.3. What is the proposed Angoon Airport project, and who is
to the proposed action? ............................................................ 32
proposing it? ............................................................................... 2
3.3. Which alternatives are analyzed in this EIS? ............................ 33
1.4. What makes it possible to propose a wilderness area as
the location for a new airport? .................................................... 3 3.4. How would the airport and access road be constructed? ......... 53
1.5. Where is Angoon, and what is it like?......................................... 5 3.5. How do the alternatives compare?............................................ 62
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3.6. How did the FAA develop a range of reasonable 4.17. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................. 699
alternatives? ............................................................................. 71 4.18. Environmental Justice and Children’s Health and Safety ....... 707
3.7. What alternatives were considered but dismissed from 4.19. Admiralty Island National Monument ...................................... 729
detailed analysis, and why? ..................................................... 79
5. REQUIREMENTS OF THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST
3.8. Which alternative does the FAA prefer? ................................... 80
LANDS CONSERVATION ACT (ANILCA) .................................... 777
3.9. What other actions may be related to the Angoon Airport
5.1. What information is provided in Chapter 5? ............................ 777
project? ..................................................................................... 86
5.2. What is ANILCA? .................................................................... 777
3.10. Summary of environmental effects ........................................... 89
5.3. Why is ANILCA relevant to the Angoon Airport project? ........ 778
4. EXISTING CONDITIONS AND PROJECT EFFECTS .................. 121
5.4. What is the ANILCA Title XI process? .................................... 778
4.1. Introduction: What information is provided in Chapter 4? ...... 121
5.5. What are the FAA's findings for tentative approval or
4.2. Air Quality ............................................................................... 131 disapproval under ANILCA's criteria? ..................................... 781
4.3. Compatible Land Use ............................................................. 141 5.6. What terms and conditions could be imposed on Airport
4.4. U.S.Department of Transportation Act Section 4(f) 3a with Access 2........................................................................................................................................ 799
Evaluation Summary ............................................................................................................... 175 6. CONSTRUCTION EFFECTS ......................................................... 801
4.5. Biological Resources .............................................................. 191 6.1. What information is provided in Chapter 6? ............................ 801
4.5.1. Terrestrial Habitats and Associated Species ................. 193 6.2. What are construction effects? ................................................ 801
4.5.2. Aquatic Habitats and Associated Species ..................... 227 6.3. Which resources would experience temporary
construction effects? ............................................................... 802
4.5.3. Special Status Species .................................................. 269
6.4. What are the significance thresholds for construction
4.6. Floodplains, Stream Geomorphology, and Hydrology ............ 319
effects? .................................................................................... 809
4.7. Hazardous Materials, Pollution Prevention, and Solid
6.5. Would any construction effects be significant? ....................... 809
Waste...................................................................................... 347
7. MITIGATION ................................................................................... 811
4.8. Cultural Resources ................................................................. 377
7.1. What information is provided in Chapter 7? ............................ 811
4.9. Light Emissions and Visual Resources .................................. 407
7.2. What regulatory requirements and authorities guide
4.10. Energy Supply, Natural Resources, and Sustainable
mitigation for this environmental impact statement? ............... 812
Design..................................................................................... 457
7.3. What order does the mitigation process follow? ..................... 815
4.11. Noise ....................................................................................... 479
7.4. What mitigation measures were incorporated into the
4.12. Socioeconomic Conditions ..................................................... 511
alternatives? ............................................................................ 815
4.13. Subsistence Resources and Uses .......................................... 551
7.5. What compensatory mitigation measures could be used if
4.14. Water Quality .......................................................................... 571
effects could not be otherwise mitigated? ............................... 822
4.15. Wetlands ................................................................................. 613
4.16. 0BWilderness Character ............................................................. 639
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