APPENDIX U Leech Lake Reservation and Chippewa National Forest Environmental Analysis FEIS Alberta Clipper Project This page left intentionally blank. FEIS Alberta Clipper Project Environmental Analysis of the Proposed Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects within the Leech Lake Reservation and the Chippewa National Forest An Appendix to the Environmental Impact Statement U.S. Department of State April 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1  PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION ........................................................................................................... 1-1  1.1  INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1-1  1.2  PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECTS ............................................................ 1-2  1.2.1  Alberta Clipper Project ...................................................................................................... 1-2  1.2.2  Southern Lights Diluent Project ......................................................................................... 1-3  1.3  PROPOSED ACTION ........................................................................................................................... 1-3  1.4  SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ................................................................................... 1-6  1.5  CONSISTENCY WITH LAND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES ............................................................... 1-7  1.5.1  General Forest Management Area (GF) ........................................................................ 1-7  1.5.2  General Forest – Longer Rotation Management Area (LR) ........................................ 1-7  1.5.3  Riparian Emphasis Management Area (RE) ................................................................... 1-7  1.5.4  Unique Biological, Aquatic, Geological, or Historical Management Area (UB) ..... 1-8  1.5.5  Experimental Forest Management Area (EF) ................................................................ 1-8  1.5.6  Goblin Fern Administrative Study Area ........................................................................... 1-9  1.5.7  Tribal Interests ..................................................................................................................... 1-10  1.6  SCOPING AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT .......................................................................................... 1-11  1.7  ANALYSIS ISSUES ................................................................................................................................ 1-12  1.8  AGENCY PERMITS AND APPROVALS ............................................................................................. 1-12  2  ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................................................................... 2-13  2.1  INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 2-13  2.2  ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT DROPPED FROM FURTHER EVALUATION ............................. 2-13  2.2.1  SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................... 2-14  2.2.1.1  Alberta Clipper Project ..................................................................................... 2-14  2.2.1.2  Southern Lights Diluent Project ........................................................................ 2-14  2.2.2  Expanding Existing Applicant Facilities ......................................................................... 2-15  2.2.2.1  Alberta Clipper Project ..................................................................................... 2-15  2.2.2.2  Southern Lights Diluent Project ........................................................................ 2-15  2.2.3  Trucking ............................................................................................................................... 2-15  2.2.3.1  Alberta Clipper Project ..................................................................................... 2-15  2.2.3.2  Southern Lights Diluent Project ........................................................................ 2-16  2.3  ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN THIS ANALYSIS ............................................................................ 2-16  2.3.1  Alternative 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2-16  2.3.2  Alternative 2 ....................................................................................................................... 2-16  2.3.3  Alternative 3 ....................................................................................................................... 2-17  2.3.4  Alternative 4 ....................................................................................................................... 2-17  2.4  COMPARISON OF ROUTE ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................... 2-17  2.5  MITIGATION MEASURES.................................................................................................................... 2-22  3  EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS .......................................................................... 3-1  3.1  HEALTH AND SAFETY ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................... 3-2  3.1.1  Scoping Issue 1 - Potential for Pipeline Rupture ............................................................ 3-2  3.1.1.1  Description ............................................................................................................ 3-2  3.1.1.2  Indicator ................................................................................................................ 3-3  3.1.1.3  Scope ..................................................................................................................... 3-3  3.1.1.4  Affected Environment ......................................................................................... 3-3  3.1.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects.................................................................................. 3-4  3.1.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................... 3-8  Environmental Appendix i Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects 3.1.2  Scoping Issue 2 – St. Regis Paper Company Superfund Site Contamination ........ 3-10  3.1.2.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-10  3.1.2.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-10  3.1.2.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-10  3.1.2.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-10  3.1.2.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-11  3.1.2.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-12  3.2  ROADS AND TRAILS ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................ 3-13  3.2.1  Scoping Issue 3 – Increased Opportunities for Off-highway Vehicle Access ........ 3-13  3.2.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-13  3.2.1.2  Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-13  3.2.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-13  3.2.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-13  3.2.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-17  3.2.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-18  3.2.2  Scoping Issue 4 – Effects on Local Transportation ....................................................... 3-19  3.2.2.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-19  3.2.2.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-19  3.2.2.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-19  3.2.2.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-19  3.2.2.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-20  3.2.2.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-27  3.3  VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 3-28  3.3.1  Scoping Issue 5 – Wildlife Movement ............................................................................ 3-28  3.3.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-28  3.3.1.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-28  3.3.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-28  3.3.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-28  3.3.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-29  3.3.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-32  3.3.2  Scoping Issue 6 – Conversion of Land Cover Types .................................................... 3-34  3.3.2.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-34  3.3.2.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-34  3.3.2.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-34  3.3.2.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-34  3.3.2.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-35  3.3.2.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-40  3.3.3  Scoping Issue 7 – Spread of Invasive Species .............................................................. 3-41  3.3.3.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-41  3.3.3.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-41  3.3.3.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-41  3.3.3.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-41  3.3.3.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-49  3.3.3.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-51  3.4  HERITAGE RESOURCES ANALYSIS ................................................................................................... 3-53  3.4.1  Scoping Issue 8 – Construction Impacts to Heritage Resources .............................. 3-53  3.4.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-53  3.4.1.2  Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-53  3.4.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-53  3.4.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-53  3.4.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-56  3.4.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-57  ii Environmental Appendix Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects 3.5  AESTHETICS ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................................... 3-57  3.5.1  Scoping Issue 9 – Affects to Scenic Quality and Landscape Character ............... 3-57  3.5.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-57  3.5.1.2  Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-57  3.5.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-57  3.5.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-58  3.5.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-59  3.5.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-60  3.6  RECREATION ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................... 3-61  3.6.1  Scoping Issue 10 – Recreational Use and Experience ............................................... 3-61  3.6.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-61  3.6.1.2  Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-61  3.6.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-61  3.6.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-62  3.6.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-63  3.6.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-65  3.7  SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................... 3-66  3.7.1  Scoping Issue 11 – Construction Impacts on Local Communities ............................ 3-66  3.7.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-66  3.7.1.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-66  3.7.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-66  3.7.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-66  3.7.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-67  3.7.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-70  3.7.2  Other Disclosures – Environmental Justice ................................................................... 3-71  3.8  SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES ANALYSIS ................................................................................................ 3-72  3.8.1  Scoping Issue 12 – Construction Impacts to Special Status Species ....................... 3-72  3.8.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-72  3.8.1.2  Indicator .............................................................................................................. 3-72  3.8.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-72  3.8.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-72  3.8.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-74  3.8.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-79  3.9  SOILS ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................. 3-80  3.9.1  Scoping Issue 13 - Sensitive Soils in Forested Areas ..................................................... 3-80  3.9.1.1  Description .......................................................................................................... 3-80  3.9.1.2  Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-81  3.9.1.3  Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-81  3.9.1.4  Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-81  3.9.1.5  Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-83  3.9.1.6  Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-84  3.10  WETLANDS ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................................... 3-85  3.10.1  Scoping Issue 14 - Wetlands ............................................................................................ 3-85  3.10.1.1 Description .......................................................................................................... 3-85  3.10.1.2 Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-86  3.10.1.3 Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-86  3.10.1.4 Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-86  3.10.1.5 Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-87  3.10.1.6 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-89  Environmental Appendix iii Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects 3.11  SURFACE WATERS ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................... 3-91  3.11.1  Scoping Issue 15 – Impacts to Surface Waters ............................................................ 3-91  3.11.1.1 Description .......................................................................................................... 3-91  3.11.1.2 Indicators ............................................................................................................. 3-91  3.11.1.3 Scope ................................................................................................................... 3-91  3.11.1.4 Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-91  3.11.1.5 Direct and Indirect Effects................................................................................ 3-93  3.11.1.6 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................. 3-95  4  LIST OF PREPARERS ............................................................................................................................................ 4-1  iv Environmental Appendix Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects LIST OF TABLES Table 1.3-1  Land Use within the Proposed Project Area with Delineated Wetlands ................... 1-5  Table 1.7-1  Analysis Issues .................................................................................................................... 1-12  Table 2.4-1  Comparison of Effects for Alternatives .......................................................................... 2-18  Table 2.5-1  Summary of Mitigation Measures ................................................................................... 2-23  Table 3.1.1-1  History of Mainline Pipeline Releases within LLR and CNF Boundaries ..................... 3-3  Table 3.2.2-1  Average Daily Traffic Counts on Potential Access Roads ......................................... 3-21  Table 3.2.2-2  Roads Crossed by Alternative 2 ..................................................................................... 3-22  Table 3.2.2-3  Roads Crossed by Alternative 3 ..................................................................................... 3-24  Table 3.2.2-4  Roads Crossed by Alternative 4 ..................................................................................... 3-25  Table 3.3.2-1  CNF Management Areas Crossed by Each Alternative ............................................ 3-35  Table 3.3.2-2  Acreage of CNF Landscape Ecosystem Types Affected by Proposed Action ..... 3-36  Table 3.3.3-1  State- and County-designated Noxious Weeds and Plants of Concern within the CNF ...................................................................................................................................... 3-42  Table 3.3.3-2   Noxious Weeds and Plants of Concern within the LLR ............................................... 3-43  Table 3.3.3-3  Noxious Weeds Identified within the Proposed Action (Alternative 2) Project Area ... .............................................................................................................................................. 3-45  Table 3.4.1-1  Heritage Resources .......................................................................................................... 3-54  Table 3.4.1-2  Native American Groups Contacted ........................................................................... 3-55  Table 3.6.1-1  Recreational Events Occurring in the Project Area .................................................... 3-62  Table 3.8.1-1  Management Indicator Species .................................................................................... 3-74  Table 3.8.1-2  Sensitive Species Mitigation Measures .......................................................................... 3-75  Table 3.9.1-1  Soil Limitations and Characteristics of Alternative 2 in miles ..................................... 3-81  Table 3.9.1-2  Soil Limitations and Characteristics of Alternative 3 in miles ..................................... 3-81  Table 3.9.1-3  Soil Limitations and Characteristics of Alternative 4 in miles ..................................... 3-82  Table 3.10.1-1  Summary of Wetlands Affected by Construction of Alternatives ............................ 3-87  Table 3.11.1-1  Surface Waters Crossed within the Proposed Project –Alternative 2 ...................... 3-91  Table 3.11.1-2  Surface Waters Crossed within the Proposed Project – Alternative 3 ..................... 3-92  Table 3.11.1-3  Surface Waters Crossed within the Proposed Project – Alternative 4 ..................... 3-92 LIST OF FIGURES (SEE APPENDIX 3) Figure 1 – Project Overview Map Figure 2 – Project Location Map Figure 3 – Management Areas Crossed Figure 4 – Typical Right-of-Way Schematic Figure 5 – Typical Pipeline Construction Sequence Figure 6 – Typical Timber Mat Span Bridge Figure 7 – Typical Rock Flume Bridge Figure 8 – Typical Waterbody Crossing – Wet Trench Method Figure 9 – Typical Waterbody Crossing – Dam and Pump Method Figure 10 – Typical Waterbody Crossing – Rock Flume Method Figure 11 – Typical Waterbody Crossing – Horizontal Directional Drill Figure 12 – Typical Wetland Crossing Figure 13 – Slope Breakers – Perspective View Figure 14 – Slope Breaker – Elevation View Figure 15 – Typical Trench Breakers – Perspective View Figure 16 – Typical Trench Breakers – Plan & Profile View Figure 17 – Typical Silt Fence Installation Figure 18 – Typical Straw Bale Installation Figure 19 – Typical Dewatering Measures Figure 20 – Dewatering Measures – Straw Bale Structure Figure 21 – Typical Stream Crossing Replanting Design Figure 22 – Land Ownership in the Project Area Figure 23A – Other Forest Service Projects Figure 23B – Other Forest Service Projects Environmental Appendix v Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects APPENDICES Appendix 1 References Appendix 2 Comments Raised During Scoping Appendix 3 Figures Appendix 4 Cumulative Effects Summary Matrix vi Environmental Appendix Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights Diluent Pipeline Projects