REP35525

• Permit No: M1978305
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 5/18/2004
• Doc Name: Environmental Assessment
• From: Nat. Park Service
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0. PURPOSE AND NEED ............................................................................................... ....1
1.1. Objectives of Taking Action ......................................................................................... ....3
1.2. Special Mandates and Direction .................................................................................. ....3
1.2.1. Legislative and Administrative History of Curecanti National Recreation Area and
the Dickerson Quarry ....................................................................................... ....3
1.2.2. The NPS Organic Act, as amended ................................................................. ....4
1.2.3. The Non-Impairment Mandate ......................................................................... ....5
1.2.4. Special Use Permits ........................................................................................ ....5
1.2.5. Park Planning Documents ............................................................................... ....9
1.3. Issues and Impact Topics Evaluated ........................................................................... ..10
1.4. Issues and Impact Topics Eliminated from Further Analysis ........................................ ..12
1.4.1. Environmental Justice ...................................................................................... ..12
1.4.2. Prime and Unique Farmlands .......................................................................... ..12
1.4.3. Historic Structures, Ethnographic Resources, Cultural Landscapes, Museum
Collections ....................................................................................................... ..12
1.4.4. Local and Regional Economics ........................................................................ ..13
1.4.5. Floodplains .........................................................................................:............ ..13
1.4.6. Wetlands ......................................................................................................... ..13
1.4.7. Park Management and Operations .................................................................. ..13
2.0. ALTERNATIVES ......................................................................................................... ..14
2.1. Alternative A, No Action .............................................................................................. ..14
2.2. Alternative B, Proposed Action .................................................................................... ..14
2.3. Description of Mining Operations ................................................................................ ..17
2.4. Sequence and Extent of Operations for each Alternative ............................................ ..18
2.5. Reclamation ................................................................................................................ ..19
2.6. Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... ..20
2.7. Performance Bond ...................................................................................................... ..23
2.8. Monitoring the Operation ............................................................................................. ..24
2.9. Alternatives Considered but Dismissed from Further Analysis ..................................... ..25
2.10. Environmentally Preferred Alternative ......................................................................... ..25
2.11. NPS Preferred Alternative ........................................................................................... ..26
3.0. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ............... ..32
3.1. Impacts on Nonfederal Mineral Development .............................................................. ..33
3.2. Impacts on Air Quality ................................................................................................. ..35
3.3. Impacts on Geology and Soils ..................................................................................... ..39
3.4. Impacts on Water Quality ............................................................................................ ..42
3.5. Impacts on Vegetation ................................................................................................. ..45
3.6. Impacts on Wildlife ...................................................................................................... ..51
3.7. Impacts on Species of Management Concern ............................................................. ..55
3.8. Impacts on Archeological Resources .......................................................................... ..60
3.9. Impacts on Visitor Use and Experience ....................................................................... ..63
4.0. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ................................................................... ..69
4.1. Individuals and Agencies Consulted ............................................................................ ..69
4.2. List of Document Recipients ........................................................................................ ..70
4.3. Preparers .................................................................................................................... ..71
5.0. BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................... ..72
APPE NDIX A -SITE PLANT LIST .......................................................................................... ..74
APPE NDIX B -CONSULTATION LETTERS .......................................................................... ..77