WSP07840

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 4/1/2002
• Title: Ridges Basin Dam & Reservoir Pre-Construction Facilities Relocations Draft Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RIDGES BASIN PRE-CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES RELOCATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Pal?e

1

PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ........................................................1-1

1.1 INTRODUCTION .................,......................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................1-1
1.2.1 The Animas-La Plata Project.............................................................................. 1-1
1.2.2 Animas-La Plata Project NEPA Compliance .....................................................1-3
1.2.3 Related NEPA Compliance Activities................................................................ 1-3.
1.2.4 Other Compliance Activities ..............................................................................1-5
1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED ..:.............................................................................1-7

II

2 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATNES ......................................................................... 2-1

2.1 PROPOSED ACTION.....................................................................................................2-1
2.1.1 New Pipeline Construction Proposed................................................................. 2-1
2.1.2 New Meter Station..................................:........................................................... 2-2
2.1.3 Deposition of Existing Pipeline........................................................................... 2-2
2.1.4 Pipeline Products Conversion and Pump Plant ................................................. 2-2
2.2 NO ACTION ALTERNATNE....................................................................................... 2-6
2.3 . ROUTING ALTERNATNES ........................................................................................ 2-6

2.3.1 Northern Route ...................................................................................................2-6
2.3.2 Southern Route .............................;..................................................................... 2-7
2.4 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATING PROCEDURES ............................. 2-8
2.4.1 Carbon Mountain Horizontal Directional Drill .................................................. 2-9
2.4.2 Construction Access, Extra Work Space, and Off Right-of-Way

Disposal Area ...................................................................................................2-11
2.5 LAND REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................ 2-12
2.5.1 Northern Route Alternative .............................................................................. 2-12
2.5.2 Southern Route Alternative .............................................................................. 2-13

3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...................... 3-1
3.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.1 Air Quality .......................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.2 Geology and Soils...............................................................................................3-1
3.1.3 Water Resources and Water Quality.................................................................. 3-4

3.1.4 Noise... .................. ........................ ...... .......................................... ................ ...... 3-6
3.2 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES......................................................................................... 3-6

3.2.1 Aquatic Resources .............................................................................................. 3-6
3.2.2 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 3-7
3.2.3 Vegetation.............. ....................................................................... ...... ................ 3-7
3.2.4 Wildlife............................... .................................................... ........................ .... 3-8
3.2.5 Endangered and Threatened Species ................................................................ 3-10.
3.3 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT........................................................... 3-12

3.3.1 Cultural Resources.................................... ........................................................ 3-13
3.3.2 Land Use................................................:.......................................................... 3-16
3.3.3 Transportation................................................................................................... 3-18