WSP09389

• File Number: 8111
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 9/21/2001
• Author: Corps of Engineers
• Title: Finding-No Significant Impact - Final EIS - John Martin Dam-Reservoir Project - Lease Agreement-Transfer Management of Recreation Areas-Surface Water - Corps of Engineers to CO State Parks
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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003188

3.1.6 Air Quality, Noise, and Visual Quality

The southeastern Colorado and John Martin Dam and Reservoir area is in Colorado's
Eastern High Plains Region for air quality monitoring. Bent County is considered to be "in
attainment" (i.e., it does not exceed State or Federal Environmental Protection Agency air quality
standards) for all criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxide, lead,
ozone, and particulate matter). Ambient air quality in the Arkansas River Valley is generally
good except during times of high wind. Moderate and periodically high concentrations of
particulate matter, specifically fugitive dust, result from a combination of high winds, highly
erodible soils, agricultural land use, and dry (drought) conditions. The Lamar air monitor station,
the closest station to the John Martin Project, has recorded 3 exceedances for fine particulate
matter since 1992; however, these exceedances have all been associated with prolonged periods
of drought and winds from the north and west with hourly wind averages greater than 30 miles
per hour (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 1998). Therefore, the
exceedances have been treated as uncontrollable natural events.

The no-action proposal would have no effect on air quality in the John Martin area or on
existing conditions. The proposed change in the management of the recreation areas in the CSP
proposal and the South Beach alternative would have no effect on air quality. Proposed
construction, such as the construction of the State Parks Visitor Center and other buildings, the
development of 4 designated day-use areas in the Sandstone Recreation Area, and the new
campground at the Overlook Recreation Area as described in Alternatives No.2 and No.3,
would result in temporary and negligible increases in suspended dust particles and emissions
from construction activities and equipment in the immediate vicinity. Dust particles and
emissions would be minimal and would not result in any permanent or significant short or long-
term detrimental effects on air quality. Currently the Corps and Colorado State Parks do not
anticipate any significant changes in visitation from the proposed transfer of management to
Colorado State Parks (Alternatives No.2 or No.3); therefore, suspended dust from vehicles
traveling on unpaved roads at the project would be negligible.

Background noise levels in the area are considered to be low, although temporary and
moderate increases in noise levels occur with increased vehicular traffic and during some,
infrequent, dam maintenance operations. Alternative No. I would have no effect on the existing
conditions with respect to noise in the John Martin area. Currently the Corps and Colorado State
Parks do not anticipate any significant changes in visitation from the proposed transfer of
management to Colorado State Parks (Alternatives No.2 or No.3); therefore, the transfer of
management would have no effect on existing noise conditions.

Terrain in area, north of John Martin Reservoir, is characterized by shortgrass prairie on
gravel terraces - i.e., irrigated cropland that has been abandoned and that is now used as dry land
pasture, and a few small remaining, irrigated cropland fields. For approximately the last 15
years, the majority of John Martin Project land upstream of the dam has been leased for wildlife
conservation, and livestock grazing on Project land has not occurred since that wildlife lease was

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