vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
EPA 910/9-87-172
Water Division
June, 1988
EPA 10-Af Chuitna-NPDES-88
Diamond Chuitna
Coal Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
os REGION 10
$> 1200 SIXTH AVENUE
|* f* *i SEATTLE. WASHINGTON 98101
REPLY TO
AT™ OF, WD-136
To All Interested Government Agencies, Public Officials,
Public Groups, and Citizens
Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 and implementing Federal Regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is forwarding for your review and comment this Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Diamond Chuitna Coal
Project. The project sponsor, Diamond Alaska Coal Company, proposes to
develop a twelve million ton per year coal mine in the Beluga region of upper
Cook Inlet, approximately 45 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. The project
would consist of an open pit mine and associated coal transportation and port
facilities, service facilities, and housing accommodations.
Diamond Alaska Coal Company, in association with Granite Point Coal Port,
Inc. and Tidewater Services Company has applied to EPA for National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to discharge pollutants from the
mine, port, coal loading, and housing facilities to navigable waters pursuant
to the Clean Water Act. These facilities have been determined to be New
Sources under Section 306 of the Clean Water Act and, according to Section
511(c)(l) of the Clean Water Act, are subject to the provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act. The draft NPDES permits have been released
for public review concurrent with this DEIS (Appendix D).
The U.S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers (Corps), and the
State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are cooperating agencies
for the environmental impact statement. The Corps, under the authority of
Section 10 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act, will evaluate proposed project-related activities in waters of the
United States. Appendix C of this DEIS contains a complete description of the
proposed activities requiring the Corps authorization. The DNR is authorized
to review, pursuant to the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation
Act (AS27.21 , 11 AAC Ch. 90), Diamond Alaska Coal Company's detailed
application for a permit to conduct surface mining. This application is the
subject of a separate review process.
Comments are invited on the DEIS, Draft NPDES permits, and the Corps
authorization. These comments will be considered in the preparation of the
Final Environmental Impact Statement and the applicable permits.
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Combined public hearings on the DEIS, Draft NPDES permits, and the Corps
authorization are scheduled for the following locations and times.
Anchorage Tyonek
August 17, 1988 August 18, 1988
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Federal Building Tyonek Community Center
Conference Room (1st Floor) Tyonek, Alaska
701 "C" Street
Anchorage, Alaska
EPA will announce the availability of this document in the Federal
Register on July 15, 1988, initiating a 60-day review and comment period.
Written comments pertaining to the DEIS should be submitted by September 13,
1988, to:
Rick Seaborne
EIS Project Officer
Environmental Evaluation Branch, M/S WD-136
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone: (206)442-8510
FTS 399-8510
Addresses for submittal of comments pertaining to the NPDES permit or
State Certification are ircdicated in the public notice included with the draft
NPDES permits in Appendix D of this document.
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DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
DIAMOND CHUITNA COAL PROJECT
Prepared by
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 10
Cooperating Agencies
U.S. Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
With Technical Assistance From
Dames & Moore
RESPONSIBLE QF-FICIAL:
Robie (a. Russell
Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Region 10
Date:
? ' '/ - 2"
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COVER SHEET
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS)
DIAMOND CHUITNA COAL PROJECT
SOQTHCENTRAL ALASKA
Lead Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)
Responsible Official: Robie G. Russell
Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
Cooperating Agencies; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,(Corps)
Alaska District, Regulatory Branch
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
(DNR)
Abstract of DEIS
The actions to be considered are the approvals of permits
for the proposed Diamond Chuitna Coal Project located on the
west side of Cook Inlet in southcentral Alaska. The project
would consist of a surface coal mine, haul road, a method of
transporting coal to a port facility on .Cook Inlet, dock
facilities, and other ancillary facilities. Three action
alternatives and a No Action Alternative are discussed in
detail. Rationale for eliminating various options is given.
The preferred alternative would include construction of a port
site at Ladd, an eastern transportation corridor, development
of a housing facility at Lone Creek, and a conveyor system
which would parallel the haul road and transport coal to the
port site. The impacts of the proposed project are considered
in terms of vegetation, fish, wildlife, wetlands, water
quality and hydrology (both surface and subsurface), physical
and chemical oceanography, air quality, visual resources,
cultural resources, subsistence, socioeconomics, recreation,
technical feasibility, and future uses of facilities.
Public DEIS Review and CommentProcess
This DEIS is offered for review and comment to members of
the public, special interest groups, and public agencies.
Public hearings will be held to solicit comments on the DEISf
draft EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permits, and the Corps authorized activities (see
attached notice regarding hearing locations, dates, and
times). Comments received on the DEIS will be addressed in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) .
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Location o£_DEIS_or^Technical andReference Reports and Appendicj
Copies of this DEIS and/or the major reports relating to •
the Diamond Chuitna Coal EIS are available at the following
locations:
Seattle
EPA Region 10 Headquarters
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Anchorage
Dames & Moore
5761 Silverado Way, Bldg. P
Anchorage, AK 99518-1657
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai Peninsula Borough*
Resource Development Dept
147 N, Binkley
Soldotna, AK
Kenai Community Library**
163 Main Street Loop
Kenai, AK
Tyonek Community Center**
Tyonek, AK
Division of Mining
Dept. of Natural Resources
Eighth Floor
3601 'C1 Street (Frontier Bldg.)
Anchorage, AK
Dimond Alaska Coal Company
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1900
Anchorage, AK
Z.J. Loussac Library
3600 Denali Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
Deadline for Comments: September 13, 1988
Address all Comments to:
Rick Seaborne
EIS Project Officer
Environmental Evaluation Branch (W/D 136)
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 442-8510
*27 volume permit application only
**All reports except permit application
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Table of Contents
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paqe
SUMMARY S-l
1.0 OF AND FOR ACTION 1-1
1.1 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1.1.1 The EIS Process i 1-1
1.1.2 EIS Document Structure 1-2
1.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS 1-4
1.3 PROJECT LOCATION, HISTORY, AND STATUS 1-4
1.4 SCOPING ISSUES 1-6
1.5 STATUS OF PERMITS AND APPROVALS 1-9
2.0 THE PROPOSED PROJECT 2-1
*
2.1 INTRODUCTION I 2-1
2.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW AND COMPONENTS 2-2
2.2.1 Introduction 2-2
2.2.2 Project Overview 2-2
2.2.3 Project Components and Options 2-4
2.3 AREA FACILITIES 2-4
2.3.1 Location and Size 2-4
2.3.2 Mining Sequence and Methods 2-6
2.3.3 Water Control and Treatment 2-8
2.3.3.1 Runoff from Areas Outside the Active Mine Pit 2-8
2.3.3.2 Active Mine Pit Water 2-9
2.3.4 Overburden Stockpile 2-12
2.3.5 Mine Service Area 2-12
2.4 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 2-14
2.4.1 Conveyor 2-14
2.4.2 Access/Haul Road 2-20
2.5 PORT FACILITIES ! 2-20
2.5.1 Onshore Port Facilities 2-20
2.5.2 Offshore Port Facilities 2-24
2.6 HOUSING AND AIRPORT FACILITIES 2-25
2.6.1 Housing 2-25
2.6.2 Airstrip 2-29
2.7 POWER GENERATION 2-29
2.8 RECLAMATION PLAN 2-29
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OF
(continued)
Page
2.8.1 Mine Pit 2-29
2.8.1.1 Backfilling and Grading 2-30
2.8.1.2 Topsoil Handling Plan 2-31
2.8.1.3 Revegetation 2-32
2.8.2 Overburden Stockpile 2-32
2.8.3 Mine Service Area 2-33
2.8.4 Transportation Corridor ...... 2-33
2.8.5 Port Site 2-33
2.8.6 Housing Area and Airstrip 2-34
2.9 FISH MITIGATION PLAN 2-34
2.10 CONSTRUCTION 2-34 j
« i
2.10.1 Schedule and Sequence 2-34
2.10.1.1 First Year 2-3-'i |
2.10.1.2 Second Year 2-3,
2.10.1.3 Third Year 2-37
f
2.10.2 Construction Employment 2-37 1
2.10.3 Construction Methods 2-39
i
2.10.3.1 Facilities Sites 2-39 j
2.10.3.2 Conveyor and Access/Haul Road 2-41
2.11 OPERATION 2-43 j
l
2.11.1 Coal Production and Shipping Schedules 2-43
2.11.2 Job Skills and Shift Schedules 2-44 |
2.11.3 Fuel Handling 2-44 j
2.11.4 Air Quality Considerations 2-45
2.11.5 Environmental Training Program 2-46 (
2.11.6 Environmental Coordinator 2-47 ;
3.0 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION 3-1
3.1 INTRODUCTION 3-1 '
3.2 ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO THE APPLICANT 3-1
3.2.1 Options Initially Considered 3-1 j
3.2.1.1 Overburden Stockpile Location 3-3
3.2.1.2 Transportation Corridor/Port Location 3-3 |
3.2.1.3 Transportation Mode 3-6 <
3.2.1.4 Loading Facility Type 3-7
3.2.1.5 Loading Facility Length 3-7
3.2.1.6 Housing Location 3-7 |
3.2.1.7 Housing Type 3-8
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TABLE OF
(continued)
3.2.1.8 Airstrip 3-9
3.2.1.9 Water Supply 3-9
3.2.2 Options Screening Process 3-9
3.2.2.1 Initial Options Evaluation 3-9
3.2.2.2 Remaining Options Evaluation 3-12
3.2.3 Identification and Description of Action Alternatives 3-24
3.2.3.1 Southern/Granite Point Alternative 3-26
3.2.3.2 Northern/Ladd Alternative 3-26
3.2.3.3 Eastern/Ladd Alternative 3-26
3,2.3.4 Housing/Airstrip Options 3-26
3.2.4 Comparison of Action Alternatives 3-26
3.2.5 Identification of Preferred Alternative 3-33
3.2.6 Ccraparison of Housing/Airstrip Options 3-35
3.3 ALTERATIVES AVAILABLE TO THE AGENCIES 3-39
3.4 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE 3-39
4. U AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 4-1
4.1 INTRODUCTION 4-1
4.2 REGIONAL HISTORY AND LAND STATUS 4-1
4.3 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT ..... 4-3
4.3.1 Physiography, Geology, and Soils 4-3
4.3.1.1 Physiography • 4-3
4.3.1.2 Geology 4-4
4.3.1.3 Seismology 4-5
4.3.1.4 Soils 4-5
4.3.2 Vegetation 4-7
4.3.2.1 Plant Ccnmunities 4-7
4.3.2.2 Threatened and Endangered Plant Species 4-10
4.3.2.3 Wetlands 4-10
4.3.3 Wildlife 4-14
4.3.3.1 Birds 4-14
4.3.3.2 Mammals 4-16
4.3.3.3 Threatened and Endangered Species 4-20
4.3.4 Habitat Value and Sensitivity 4-20
4.4 FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT 4-23
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
4.4.1 Ground-water Hydrology 4-23
4.4.2 Surface Water Hydrology 4-25
4.4.2.1 Seasonal Flow Characteristics of Affected Streams .... 4-27
4.4.2.2 Origin of Water in Surface Streams 4-27
4.4.2.3 Runoff Characteristics of Affected Streams 4-29
4.4.2.4 Flooding Characteristics 4-29
4.4.2.5 Channel Characteristics 4-29
4.4.3 Water Quality 4-33
4.4.3.1 Ground-water Quality 4-33
4.4.3.2 Surface Water Quality 4-36
4.4.4 Biology 4-37
4.4.4.1 Aquatic Ecology 4-37
4.4.4.2 Fish 4-38
4.4.4.3 Stream Habitat Evaluation 4-45
4.5 MARINE ENVIRONMENT 4-47
4.5.1 Physical and Chemical Oceanography 4-47
4.5.1.1 Currents/Circulation 4-47
4.5.1.2 Bathymetry 4-48
4.5.1.3 Wind and Wave Climate 4-48
4.5.1.4 Marine Water Quality 4-49
4.5.1.5 Ice Conditions 4-50
4.5.1.6 Other Marine Conditions 4-50
4.5.2 Biology 4-51
4.5.2.1 Lower Trophic Levels 4-51
4.5.2.2 Fish 4-51
4.5.2.3 Birds and Manuals 4-53
4.5.2.4 Threatened or Endangered Species 4-54
4.5.3 Cotmercial Fisheries 4-54
4.6 METEOROLOGICAL, AIR QUALITY, AND NOISE 4-56
4.6.1 Meteorology 4-56
4.6.2 Air Quality 4-61
4.6.3 Sound Climate 4-64
4.7 SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS 4-64
4.7.1 Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula 4-64
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TABES OF CONTEMN
(continued)
4.7.1.1 Population 4-64
4.7.1.2 Economy ., 4-65
4.7.1.3 Comunity Facilities and Services 4-68
4.7.1.4 Local and Regional Governance 4-69
4.7.2 Tyonek 4-70
4.7.2.1 Demography 4-70
4.7.2.2 Economy 4-72
4.7.2.3 Conmunity Facilities and Services 4-75
4.7.2.4 Local Government 4-76
4.7.2.5 Ccranunity Attitudes Toward the Diamond Chuitna
Coal Project 4-77
4 .8 SUBSISTENCE 4-79
4.9 VISUAL RESOURCES 4-86
4.10 RECREATION 4-88
4.10.1 Sport Fishing 4-88
4.10.2 Hunting 4-88
4.10.3 Other 4-89
4.11 CULTURAL 4-89
5.0 EWnRONMEMftL CONSEQUENCES 5-1
5.1 IOTRODUCTION 5-1
5.2 THE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE 5-2
5.3 IMPACTS COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES - MINE
AND MINE FACILITIES 5-3
5.3.1 Irnpacts to Terrestrial Environment 5-3
5.3.1.1 Physiography and Geology , 5-3
5.3.1.2 Soils 5-4
5.3.1.3 Vegetation 5-4
5.3.1.4 Wetlands 5-8
5.3.1.5 Wildlife 5-11
5.3.2 Inpacts to Freshwater Environments 5-13
5.3.2.1 Ground-water Hydrology and Water Quality 5-13
5.3.2.2 Surface Water Hydrology 5-19
5.3.2.3 Surface Water Quality 5-28
5.3.2.4 Biology 5-37
5.3.3 Inpacts to the Marine Environment 5-45
5.3.4 Air Quality Inpacts 5-45
5.3.4.1 Emissions 5-45
5.3.4.2 Air Dispersion Modeling Results 5-53
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
5.3.4.3 Visibility 5-55
5.3.4.4 Sunmary 5-58
5.3.5 Noise Impacts 5-58
5.3.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 5-60
5.3.6.1 Anchorage and Central Kenai Peninsula 5-60
5.3.6.2 Tyonek 5-63
5.3.7 Effect on Subsistence Resource Harvest 5-69
5.3.7.1 Effects on Access to and Use of Customary
Use Areas 5-69
5.3.7.2 Effects of Changes in Fish and Wildlife
Abundance 1 5-69
5.3.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-70
5.3.9 Impacts to Recreational Resources 5-71
5.3.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-71
5.3.11 Regional Use 5-72
5.3.12 Technical Feasibility 5-72
5.4 APPLICANT'S PROPOSED PROJECT 5-72
5.4.1 Southern Transportation Corridor; Granite Point
Port Site 5-72
5.4.1.1 Impacts to Terrestrial Environment 5-72
5.4.1.2 Impacts to Freshwater Environment 5-80
5.4.1.3 Impacts to the Marine Environment 5-87
5.4.1.4 Air Quality Impacts 5-92
5.4.1.5 Noise Impacts 5-92
5.4.1.6 Socioeconornic Impacts 5-92
5.4.1.7 Effects on Harvest of Subsistence Resources 5-93
5.4.1.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-94
5.4.1.9 Impacts to Recreational Resources 5-94
5.4.1.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-95
5.4.1.11 Regional Use 5-95
5.4.1.12 Technical Feasibility 5-96
5.4.2 Northern Transportation Corridor and Ladd Port Site 5-96
5.4.2.1 Impacts to Terrestrial Environment 5-96
5.4.2.2 Impacts to Freshwater Environment 5-99
5.4.2.3 Impacts to Marine Environment 5-101
5.4.2.4 Air Quality Impacts 5-102
5.4.2.5 Noise Impacts 5-103
5.4.2.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 5-103
5.4.2.7 Effects on Subsistence Resource Harvest 5-104
5.4.2.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-104
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TABLE OF
(continued)
5.4.2,9 Impacts to Recreational Resources 5-104
5.4.2.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-105
5.4.2.11 Regional Use 5-105
5.4.2.12 Technical Feasibility , 5-106
5.5 EASTERN TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR 5-106
5.5.1 Impacts to Terrestrial Environment 5-106
5.5.1.1 Geology, Physiography, and Soils 5-106
5.5.1.2 Vegetation .... 5-106
5.5.1.3 Wetlands 5-107
5.5.1.4 Wildlife ' 5-107
5.5.2 Impacts to Freshwater Environment 5-108
5.5.2.1 Hydrology 5-108
5.5.2.2 Water Quality 5-108
5.5.2.3 Biology 5-109
5.5.3 Impacts to Marine Environment 5-109
5.5.4 Air Quality Impacts 5-109
5.5.5 Noise Impacts 5-109
5.5.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 5-109
5.5.7 Effects on Subsistence Resource Harvest 5-110
5.5.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-110
5.5.9 Impacts to Recreational Resources 5-110
5.5.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-111
5.5.11 Regional Use 5-111
5.5.12 Technical Feasibility 5-111
5 .6 HOUSING ALTERNATIVES 5-111
5.6.1 Lone Creek Housing Site Alternative 5-111
5.6.1.1 Impacts to Terrestrial Environments 5-111
5.6.1.2 Impacts to Freshwater Environments 5-113
5.6.1.3 Impacts to Iferine Environment 5-115
5.6.1.4 Air Quality Impacts 5-115
5.6.1.5 Noise Impacts 5-116
5.6.1.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 5-116
5.6.1.7 Effect on Subsistence Resource Harvest 5-116
5.6.1.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-117
5.6.1.9 Impacts to Recreation Resources 5-117
5.6.1.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-117
5.6.1.11 Regional Use 5-117
5.6.1.12 Technical Feasibility 5-118
5.6.2 Congahbuna Housing Site Alternative 5-118
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
5.6.2.1 Impacts to Terrestrial Environments 5-118
5.6.2.2 Impacts to Freshwater Environments 5-119
5.6.2.3 Impacts to Marine Environment 5-120
5.6.2.4 Air Quality Inpacts 5-120
5.6.2.5 Noise Impacts 5-120
5.6.2.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 5-120
5.6.2.7 Effect on Subsistence Resource Harvest 5-120
5.6.2.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-121
5.6.2.9 Impacts to Recreation Resources 5-121
5.6.2.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-121
5.6.2.11 Regional Use 5-122
5.6.2.12 Technical Feasibility 5-122
5.6.3 Threemile Housing Site 5-122
i
5.6.3.1 Inpacts to Terrestrial Environments 5-122
5.6.3.2 Impacts to Freshwater Environments 5-123
5.6.3.3 Impacts to Marine Environment 5-124
5.6.3.4 Air Quality Impacts 5-124
5.6.3.5 Noise Impacts 5-124
5.6.3.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 5-124
5.6.3.7 Effect on Subsistence Resource Harvest 5-124
5.6.3.8 Impacts to Visual Resources 5-124
5.6.3.9 Impacts to Recreation Resources 5-125
5.6.3.10 Impacts to Cultural Resources 5-125
5.6.3.11 Regional Use 5-125
5.6.3.12 Technical Feasibility 5-125
5.7 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 5-125
5.8 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 5-127
5.9 SHORT-TERM USES VERSUS LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 5-128
5.10 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 5-129
6.0 MITIGATION, RECLAMATION, AND MONITORING 6-1
6.1 INTRODUCTION 6-1
6.2 MITIGATION CONCEPTS 6-2
6.3 PROJECT-SPECIFIC MITIGATION/RECLAMATION OPTIONS 6-3
6.3.1 Terrestrial Environment 6-3
6.3.1.1 Soils 6-3
6.3.1.2 Vegetation 6-5
6.3.1.3 Wildlife 6-6
6.3.2 Freshwater Environment 6-8
6.3.2.1 Hydrology 6-8
6.3.2.2 Surface and Ground-water Quality 6-9
6.3.2.3 Biology 6-10
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
6.3.3 Marine Environment 6-13
6.3.4 Socioeconomic Aspects 6-13
6.3.5 Cultural Resources 6-13
6 .4 MONITORING 6-13
6.4.1 Terrestrial Environment 6-14
6.4.1.1 Soils 6-14
6.4.1.2 Vegetation 6-14
6.4.1.3 Wildlife 6-14
6.4.2 Freshwater Environment 6-14
6.4.2.1 Hydrology 6-14
6.4.2.2 Water Quality 6-15
6.4.2.3 Biology 6-15
6.4.3 Marine Environment 6-16
6.4.4 Air Quality 6-16
6.4.5 Socioeconomic Aspects 6-16
6.4.6 Subsistence and Recreation 6-16
7.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 7-1
7.1 INTRODUCTION 7-1
7.2 SCOPING 7-1
7.3 AGENCY INVOLVEMENT 7-2
7.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 7-6
7.5 PROJECT INFORMATION CENTERS 7-7
7.6 AGENCY CONTACTS 7-7
8.0 LIST OF PREPARERS 8-1
9.0 EIS DISTRIBUTION LIST 9-1
9.1 FEDERAL AGENCIES 9-1
9.2 JOINT FEDERAL/STATE 9-2
9.3 STATE AGENCIES 9-2
9.4 LOCAL AGENCIES 9-3
9.5 MEDIA 9-4
9.6 INTERESTED GROUPS AND BUSINESSES 9-4
9.7 INTERESTED CITIZENS 9-6
10.0 PUBLIC RESPONSE TO DEIS 10-1
11.0 REFERENCES 11-1
12.0 GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS, ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND
MEASUREMENT EQUIVALENTS 12-1
12.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS 12-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
12.2 AGENCY ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 12-6
12. 3 METRIC/ENGLISH MEASUREMENT, ABBREVIATIONS AND EQUIVALENTS 12-7
12.4 OTHER MEASUREMENTS AND ABBREVIATIONS 12-8
13.0 INDEX 13-1
APPENDIX A - TERRESTRIAL HABITAT EVALUATION
APPENDIX B - U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MITIGATION STATEMENT
APPENDIX C - DEPARTMENT OF ARMY PUBLIC NOTICE AND SECTION 404(b)(l)
EVALUATION
APPENDIX D - DRAFT NPDES PERMITS
APPENDIX E - AIR QUALITY EMISSIONS
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LIST OF TABLES
Table " Paqe
1-i STATUS OF MAJOR PERMITS AND APPROVALS 1-11
2-1 MAJOR PROPOSED FISH MITIGATION MEASURES
AND MONITORING PROGRAMS DURING FIRST
TEN YEARS OF PROJECT 2-35
2-2 APPROXIMATE SHIPPING CHARACTERISTICS AT
FULL PRODUCTION FOR TWO SIZES OF COAL
SHIPS 2-44
2-3 NEW PERMANENT PROJECT EMPLOYEES
(EXCLUDING CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL) 2-45
3-1 COMPONENT OPTIONS IDENTIFIED DURING THE
SCOPING PROCESS 3-2 '
3-2 MAJOR REASONS FOR ELIMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL
OPTIONS DURING INITIAL OPTIONS EVALUATION 3-10
3-3 OPTIONS ELIMINATED OR RETAINED FOR FURTHER
ANALYSIS DURING INITIAL OPTIONS EVALUATION 3-11
3-4 TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR/PORT LOCATION
INDIVIDUAL DISCIPLINE OPTIONS SCREENING
CRITERIA 3-14
3-5 COMPARATIVE RESOURCE DISCIPLINE ANALYSIS OF
RELATIVE POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS FOR THE
NORTHERN/LADD AND EASTERN/LADD TRANSPORTA-
TION CORRIDOR/PORT SITE LOCATION OPTIONS 3-15
3-6 RESOURCE DISCIPLINE ANALYSES OF THE RELATIVE
POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS OF TRANSPORTATION
MODE OPTIONS 3-18
3-7 OPTIONS USED TO FORM ALTERNATIVES 3-25
3-8 DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT ACTION ALTERNATIVES 3-27
3-9 EVALUATION CRITERIA MATRIX SHOWING RELATIVE
TOTAL IMPACT VALUES ASSIGNED TO THE THREE
ACTION ALTERNATIVES 3-29
3-10 EVALUATION CRITERIA MATRIX SHOWING RELATIVE
TOTAL IMPACT VALUES ASSIGNED TO THE THREE
HOUSING OPTIONS.... . ... 3-36
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LIST OF TABLES
(continued)
Page
4-1 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOCHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTICS ACROSS NINETEEN DRILL
HOLES IN THE DIAMOND CHUITNA MINE AREA 4-6
4-2 MAJOR VEGETATION UNITS AND COMMUNITY TYPES
AND ASSOCIATED SOIL SERIES OF THE DIAMOND
CHUITNA PROJECT AREA 4-8
4-3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAJOR SOIL UNITS OF
THE DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT AREA 4-9
4-4 WETLAND CHARACTERISTICS IN THE MINE LEASE
AREA, SOUTHERN TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR,
AND PORT AREA 4-12
4-5 AQUIFER CHARACTERISTICS 4-25
4-6 AFFECTED STREAMS 4-28
4-7 SOURCES OF SURFACE WATER IN CHUITNA
RIVER BASIN 4-30
4-8 ESTIMATED RUNOFF FACTORS FOR CHUITNA
RIVER BASIN 4-30
4-9 ESTIMATED PEAK FLOWS AND RUNOFF VOLUMES
FOR STORMS OF DIFFERENT RECURRENCE
INTERVALS 4-31
4-10 STREAM CROSSING CHANNEL CHARACTERISTICS
LADD ROAD/NORTH ROAD AREA 4-32
4-11 GROUND-WATER QUALITY 4-35
4-12 SALMON ESCAPEMENT TO THE CHUITNA RIVER AND
PROJECT AREA TRIBUTARIES 4-43
4-13 HABITAT AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
POTENTIALLY AFFECTED REACHES OF MINE
AREA STREAMS 4-46
4-14 FISH SPECIES KNOWN TO OCCUR IN UPPER COOK
INLET 4-52
4-15 UPPER COOK INLET SALMON CATCH SUMMARY
1966-1984 4-55
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LIST OF TABLES
{continued)
Paqe
4-16 MONTHLY TEMPERATURE (°C) AND PRECIPITATION
(cm) SUMMARY FOR PROJECT REGION. 4-62
4-17 REGIONAL MEASURED AIR QUALITY DATA. .' 4-63
4-18 POPULATION TRENDS IN ALASKA, ANCHORAGE,
AND THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH 4-66
4-19 POPULATION OF TYONEK, ALASKA, 1880-1984 4-70
4-20 TOTAL VILLAGE INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT, BY
INDUSTRY VILLAGE OF TYONEK, ALASKA, 1983 4-73
4-21 TYONEK "S ECONOMIC BASE, 1983... 4-75
4-22 SCENIC QUALITY RATING FOR THE PROJECT AREA 4-87
5-1 AREA (HA[AC]) OF VEGETATION DISTURBED BY VARIOUS
MINE COMPONENTS . 5-6
5-2 HECTARES (ACRES) OF WETLAND HABITATS LOST
AS A RESULT OF MINE DEVELOPMENT BY PROJECT
COMPONENT 5-9
5-3 DIRECT LOSS OP WILDLIFE AND SUITABILITY OF
HABITATS IN HECTARES (ACRES) FROM MINE
DEVELOPMENT BY PROJECT COMPONENT 5-14
5-4 COMPARISON OF PREMINING AND POSTMINING
HABITAT VALUES FOR EVALUATION SPECIES
(10 YR MINING AREA ONLY) 5-15
5-5 ESTIMATED PIT INFLOW RATES 5-18
5-6 WATERSHEDS OCCUPIED BY THE MINE AND MINE
FACILITIES 5-21
5-7 ESTIMATED MONTHLY MINIMUM STREAM FLOWS 5-23
5-8 ESTIMATED SEDIMENT POND EFFLUENT WATER
QUALITY (AFTER SEDIMENT AND FLOCCULATION
TREATMENT) 5-31
5-9 PIT DRAINAGE EFFLUENT WATER QUALITY
PROTECTION (AFTER TREATMENT) . 5-34
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LIST OF TABLES
(continued)
Page
5-10 AQUATIC HABITAT EVALUATION OF POTENTIALLY
AFFECTED REACHES OF MINE AREA STREAMS
(YEAR 10 ) 5-38
5-11 AQUATIC HABITAT EVALUATION OF POTENTIALLY
AFFECTED REACHES OF MINE AREA STREAMS
(YEAR 30) 5-39
5-12 WEIGHTED MAXIMUM POTENTIAL HABITAT LOSS
(HA) BY LOCALLY ASSIGNED CATEGORY,
DRAINAGE AND SPECIES (YEAR 10) 5-46
5-13 WEIGHTED MAXIMUM POTENTIAL HABITAT LOSS
(HA) BY LOCALLY ASSIGNED CATEGORY,
DRAINAGE AND SPECIES (YEAR 30) ." 5-47
5-14 PRODUCTION-PHASE ANNUAL PARTICULATE EMISSIONS.... 5-49
5-15 GASEOUS AND PARTICULATE ANNUAL COMBUSTION
EMISSIONS 5-50
5-16 FULL PRODUCTION SHORT-TERM PARTICULATE
EMISSIONS 5-51
5-17 PRODUCTION YEAR 3 SHORT-TERM PARTICULATE
EMISSIONS 5-52
5-18 CONSTRUCTION AND TEMPORARY EMISSIONS 5-54
5-19 POTENTIAL TURBINE EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH
POWER GENERATION FOR THE DIAMOND CHUITAN
PROJECT 5-54
5-20 AIR QUALITY MODELING ANALYSIS TOTAL SUSPENDED
PARTICULATE (TSP) CONCENTRATIONS 5-56
5-21 AIR QUALITY MODELING ANALYSIS SULFUR DIOXIDE
CONCENTRATIONS 5-57
5-22 ESTIMATED SOUND LEVELS GENERATED BY MINE AREA
EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES 5-59
5-23 MINING PHASE EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP.... 5-65
5-24 DIRECT LOSS OF WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SUITABILITY
OF HABITATS IN HECTARES FROM MINE DEVELOPMENT
BY PROJECT COMPONENT 5-79
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LIST OF TABLES
{continued)
Paqe
5-25 EFFLUENT WATER QUALITY FROM COAL LEACBATES 5-81
5-26 WATERSHEDS OCCUPIED BY SOUTHERN TRANSPORTATION
CORRIDOR 5-83
5-2? IMPACT OF DOMESTIC WASTE DISCHARGE ON CHUITNA
RIVER 5-115
7-1 MATRIX OF COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM SCOPING
MEETINGS AND WRITTEN RESPONSES. 7-3
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1-1 DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT LOCATION 1-5
1-2 DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT AREA 1-7
2-1 FINAL PROJECT OPTIONS LOCATIONS 2-3
2-2 FINAL MINE AREA OPTIONS LOCATIONS 2-5
2-3 ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION - MINING AND
RECLAMATION SEQUENCE 2-7
2-4 MINE AREA DRAINAGE CONTROL AND TREATMENT
FACILITIES '. 2-10
2-5 ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION - TYPICAL SEDIMENT
POND 2-11
2-6 ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION - MINE SERVICE AREA 2-13
2-7 SOUTHERN CORRIDOR CONVEYOR AND HAUL ROAD
LOCATIONS 2-15
2-8 EASTERN AND NORTHERN CONVERYOR AND ACCESS/HAUL
ROAD LOCATIONS 2-16
2-9 TYPICAL CONVEYOR MODULE AND CROSS SECTION 2-17
2-10 ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION-CONVEYOR SYSTEM
DESIGN 2-18
2-11 TYPICAL HAUL ROAD AND BRIDGE DESIGN 2-21
2-12 ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION - PORT SITE
FACILITIES 2-22
2-13 TRESTLE AND PIER DESIGN 2-26
2-14 ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION - HOUSING AND AIRSTRIP
FACILITIES 2-28
2-15 NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED, BY MONTH,
DURING PROJECT CONSTRUCTION 2-38
2-16 GRAVEL SOURCE LOCATIONS, SOUTHERN CORRIDOR 2-40
3-1 INITIAL MINE AREA OPTIONS LOCATIONS 3-4
-------
3-2 INITIAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR, HOUSING AND
AIRSTRIP OPTIONS LOCATIONS 3-5
4-1 BELUGA REGION LAND (SURFACE) OWNERSHIP
STATUS 4-2
4-2 BALD EAGL1 AND TRUMPETER SWAN NEST SITES 4-15
4-3 MOOSE RUTTING CONCENTRATIONS (Oct.'83)
AND WINTERING AREAS (Feb.'84) 4-18
4-4 MINE AREA BEAVER COLONIES (October 1983)
AND SWAN AND EAGLE NEST SITES 4-21
4-5 WATERBODISS OF THE DIAMOND CHUITNA MINE
STUDY AREA 4-26
4-6 WATER QUALITY SAMPLE STATIONS 4-34
4-7 UPPERMOST EXTENT OF DOCUMENTED USE BY REARING
JUVENILE SALMONIDS 4-39
4-8 UPPERMOST EXTENT OF DOCUMENTED USE BY SPAWNING
ANADROMOUS FISH 4-40
4-9 TIMING OF LIFE HISTORY PHASES FOR ANADROMOUS
SALMONIDS IN THE CHUITNA RIVER DRAINAGE 4-42
4-10 WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION, GRANITE POINT
PORT SITE 4-57
4-11 WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION, MINE SITE 4-58
4-12 WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION, ANCHORAGE 4-59
4-13 WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION, KENAI 4-60
4-14 POPULATION PROFILE BY AGE AND SEX, TYONEK,
FEBRUARY, 1984 4-71
4-15 COMPOSITE MAP OF ALL RESOURCE USE AREAS,
TYONEK, ALASKA 1978-84 4-81
4-16 USE AREAS FOR MOOSE, SMALL GAME, BEAR
AND WATERFOWL TYONEK, ALASKA 4-83
4-17 PERCENTAGE OF TYONEK HOUSEHOLDS ATTEMPTING
TO HARVEST RESOURCES BY RESOURCE CATEGORY,
FEBRUARY 1983-JANUARY 1984 4-85
5-1 HYDROLOGIC CROSS SECTION A-A' 5-17
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Summary
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SUMMARY
Purpose ofand Need for Action
Diamond Alaska Coal Company (Diamond Alaska) proposes
to develop a coal mine in the Beluga region of upper Cook
Inlet, Alaska. The project would consist of a surface mine
and associated transportation, shipping, and housing facili-
ties. Diamond Alaska is proceeding with applications for
the various permits and approvals needed for such a develop-
ment .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the
responsibility for issuing New Sourca National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for wastewater
discharges from the proposed Diamond Chuitna Coal project.
EPA's NPDES regulations [40 CFR 122.29(c)(2)I require that
the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) include a recommen-
dation' on whether the NPDES Permit should be issued or
denied. They also require that such action shall occur only
after a complete evaluation of the projected impacts and
recommendations contained in the final EIS (FEIS) [40 CFR
122.29(c)(3)J.
In addition, the U.S. Department of the Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps), Alaska District, has jurisdiction over
this action under Section 10 of the River and Harbor Act of
1899 which provides for control over structures or work in
or affecting navigable waters of the U.S.; and under Section
404 of the Clean Water Act which provides for regulation of
the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters,
including wetlands. The Corps intends to adopt this EIS to
fulfill its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) obliga-
tions if its concerns are satisfied in the document.
Pursuant to NEPA and implementing regulations issued by
the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), EPA, and the
Corps, this EIS has been prepared to evaluate the potential
impacts of the proposed actions on the environment and to
fulfill the permitting requirements of EPA and the Corps.
EPA has the lead responsibility for preparing this document
and the Corps is a cooperating agency. The Alaska
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is also a cooperating
agency because of its role in implementing the federal
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) through
the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Program.
Project Description
Full development of the Diamond Chuitna coal project
would involve a 10.9 million Mt (12 million short ton) per
year surface coal mine in the Beluga area approximately 72
S-l
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Jem (45 mi) west of Anchorage. The coal is sub-bituminous,
low sulphur, low ash, high moisture steam coal with an
average of 4,250 kilocalories per kilogram (7650 BTU per
Ib). The actual area to be mined during the projected
34-year life of the project would be approximately 2,029 ha
(5,014 ac) with a maximum of 182 ha (450 ac) of pit being
open at any one time.
Mining methods would employ shovels, draglines,
hydraulic backhoes, front-end loaders, and haul trucks.
Coal would be initially crushed at the mine and carried to a
22 ha (55 ac) mine service area by conveyor for further
crushing and weighing. It would then be transported
approximately 17.6 km (11 mi) by a single-span, 1.2 m (48
in) wide conventional conveyor to a port site on Cook Inlet
either at Granite Point south of the mine or at Ladd east of
the mine.
The entire conveyor structure would be supported by a
horizontal steel pipe elevated about 0.6 m (2 ft) above the
ground and would be about 2.9 m (9.6 ft) high overall. It
would be enclosed on the top and one side except at stream
crossings where the underside would also be enclosed. At
appropriate locations, the conveyor would be raised or
buried to permit human and large mammal passage across the
corridor. The conveyor would be paralleled by a light duty
maintenance road and an all-weather gravel/access haul road.
The onshore port facilities would occupy approximately
121 ha (300 ac) on the bluff above Cook Inlet at either
Granite Point or Ladd. No one would be housed there. Up to
1.1 million Mt (1.2 million short tons) of coal would be
stockpiled at the port for shipment. At full production,
the offshore port facility would consist of an elevated
trestle up to 3,810 m (12,500 ft) long, depending upon the
port site, and would support twin conveyors for loading coal
ships. At maximum length, the trestle would have a berthing
depth of between 15.2 and 18.2 m (50 and 60 ft) and could
service ships up to 108,864 Mt (120,000 dwt) .
The workforce would be housed in permanent single-
status housing and community facilities on an 8 ha (20 ac)
site north of the Chuitna River near the mine (Lone Creek
site), south of the Chuitna River midway between the mine
and Granite Point (Congahbuna site), or northeast of the
mine site (Threemile Creek site). The facilities would
accommodate a total of 540 people at full production. A
new gravel airstrip with a main runway of 1,524 m (5,000
ft) would be constructed adjacent to the housing site.
Average-load electrical power demands would be approxi-
mately 35 Mw with a maximum of 50 Mw. Power would be pur-
chased from the existing Chugach Electric Association
natural gas generating station at Beluga. Water for all
facilities would be supplied by wells.
S-2
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Construction employment would peak at approximately
1,300 and the permanent work force would total about 848
workers. Half of that total (424) would be at the project
site at any one time working two 11-hour shifts per day.
Employees would work a four-day-on, four-day-off schedule,
and would be flown back to their homes in Anchorage or on
the Kenai Peninsula during their off-work periods.
Construction would take approximately three years.
Production would begin at a level of about 1.8 million Mt (2
million short tons) and increase to full production capacity
as economics permit. The minimum time to full production
would be four years from construction completion.
Existing Environment
The project area is largely undeveloped except for a
system of primitive roadways that remain as a result of past
oil, logging, and coal exploration activities. Most of the
project area, including all the Diamond Chuitna coal lease
a*rea, is state land as is the Trading Bay State Game Refuge
to the south. Most of the land east of the project area is
owned or selected by the Tyonek Native Corporation, while
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. owns the majority of the remainder
of the land on the northeast, north, and west. The Kenai
Peninsula Borough has either selected or received selection
approval to land at or near both potential port sites.
Most of the project area consists of a broad, gently
sloping plateau characterized by irregular ridges and
depressions. The southern edge of the plateau terminates at
a coastal bluff rising from the gravelly beaches of Cook
Inlet. Much of the area is poorly drained with bogs and
ponds. Vegetation on the area consists primarily of spruce-
birch forest intermixed with open, muskeg terrain.
A major portion of the area provides moderate to high
quality habitat for moose, brown bear, and black bear. A
portion of a moose rutting concentration area is located
within the northern half of the mine site? moose winter in a
narrow zone along the coast. Birds occupying the project
area include bald eagles, as well as small numbers of trum-
peter swans and sandhill cranes.
The Chuitna River, which originates in the Alaska Range
and enters Cook Inlet north of the village of Tyonek,
bisects the project area and is the major drainage system
within the project area. Several major tributaries to the
Chuitna River are within or adjacent to the proposed mine
area. Ground water originating within shallow aquifers in
the mine area contributes significantly to the flow of the
area streams. Tyonek and Old Tyonek Creeks are separate
systems that drain the southern portion of the project area.
Water resources are unpolluted and water quality is high.
S-3
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Important fish resources in the Chuitna River include
rainbow trout, chinook, coho, pink, and chum salmon. The
river supports a small but high quality sport fishery and
contributes salmon to commercial and subsistence fisheries
within Cook Inlet.
Cook Inlet adjacent to the project area is charac-
terized by high tides, strong currents, and high turbidity.
Important marine life occupying the coastal area includes
belukha whales and all 5 species of eastern Pacific salmon.
Air quality is high within the project area; noise
pollution is low.
The closest development to the project area is the
village of Tyonek, about 11 miles southeast of the mine
area. About 95 percent of the approximately 270 residents
of Tyonek are Alaska Natives. The village is accessible
only by air or sea as there are no road connections to the
more populated areas of southcentral Alaska. Subsistence
hunting and fishing are important to the economic, cultural,
social, and nutritional well-being of most of the permanent
residents within the area.
The EIS scoping process identified the following 10
issues of concern for the project:
o Maintain the integrity of the Chuitna River
watershed by minimizing impacts to water quality
and maintaining proper flows
o Maintain the quality of fish habitats in,the
Chuitna River system and minimize impacts to resi-
dent and anadromous fish
° Minimize disruption of wildlife and wildlife habi-
tats, including important seasonal use areas and
migration routes
° Assure successful reclamation of project com-
ponents
° Minimize impacts to the commercial set net
fishery and marine life movements near the port
trestle
° Minimize impacts to subsistence resources,
including access to those resources, as tradi-
tionally used by local residents
0 Minimize the social, cultural, and economic
impacts on local residents
S-4
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0 Maintain a regional perspective to minimize the
cumulative impacts of this and other potential
development projects
0 Minimize chances of system failure by incor-
porating technically feasible component siting,
design, and mitigation features
0 Component siting, design, and mitigation features
should be cost effective
Options Screening Process
To address the 10 issues, the scoping process iden-
tified 31 options for the 12 project components. A two-step
options screening process was conducted to determine reason-
able options. In the first step, all options were reviewed
to eliminate from further consideration those which were
clearly unreasonable or infeasible primarily for environmen-
tal or technical reasons. Nine options were eliminated.
In the second step, the remaining options were
individually evaluated. Since all the options in the
applicant's Proposed Projects were environmentally and tech-
nically reasonable and feasible, all of those options were
retained so that the applicant's Proposed Projects would
constitute formal alternatives to be analyzed during the
analysis of alternatives process. Then, for each component
where at least one option other than the applicant's choices
remained, options were individually evaluated from the
perspective of each resource or technical discipline (e.g.,
water quality, subsistence, technical feasibility). If it
was determined that one of the other options was as good as,
or better than, an applicant's option on an overall basis or
if it addressed one or more of the 10 scoping issues in a
significantly more favorable manner than did the applicant's
option, that option was retained for the analysis of alter-
natives process.
Following the options screening process, the best
options for all but two of the project components were rela-
tively easy to identify. However, two components (trans-
portation corridor/port site location and housing site
location) had three options each that adequately addressed
one or more of the 10 issues. These options were therefore
retained and, with the other nine options, were used to form
the alternatives (Table 1).
Identification and Description of Alternatives
The identification of action alternatives process was
relatively straightforward as only three alternatives
(combinations of options) were necessary to address the
issues raised by the two components with more than one
option remaining (transportation/port site location and
5-5
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Table 1
OPTIONS USED TO FORM ALTERNATIVES
Component
Option(s)
Mine Location
Overburden Stockpile Location
Mine Service Area
Transportation System
o Corridor Location^)
4
o Mode
Loading Facility
Housing
o Location(2)
o Type
Airstrip
Water Supply
Power
Fixed
Southeast
Fixed
Southern/Granite Point
Northern/Ladd
Eastern/Ladd
Conveyor
Elevated Trestle
Lone Creek
Congahbuna
Threemile Creek
/
Single Status
New
Wells
Purchase
(1) One of original 12 components was dropped during option
screening process.
(2) Component with more than one option remaining.
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housing site location). Since the applicant wishes to
retain two transportation corridor/port site options
(southern/Granite Point and northern/Ladd), two alternatives
using three options were identified as the applicant's
Proposed Project. A third alternative, using the eastern/
Ladd option, was also identified. The three action alter-
natives and the No Action Alternative for the Diamond
Chuitna coal project are described below.
Southern/Granite Point Alternative
In addition to the fixed mine and mine service area
locations, this alternative would site the overburden stock-
pile southeast of the mining limit. It includes a conveyor
system within the southern transportation corridor to the
port site at Granite Point. The coal-loading facility at
the port would be an elevated trestle. A single-status
housing facility with associated new airstrip would be
located at the Lone Creek site. Water would be supplied to
all facilities by wells, and power would be purchased from
the Chugach Electric Association natural gas power station
at Beluga.
Northern/Ladd Alternative
This alternative is the same as the southern/Granite Point
alternative except the northern transportation corridor to a
port site at Ladd would be used (Fig. 2-1).
Eastern/Ladd Alternative
This alternative would be the same as the northern/Ladd
alternative except that the eastern transportation corridor to a
port site at Ladd would be used (Fig. 2-1).
No Action Alternative
The No Action Alternative means that development of the
Diamond Chuitna project would not occur. This would result
from denial of one or more of the federal or state permits
necessary for project development or from a decision by the
applicant not to undertake the project.
Comparison of Alternatives
The impacts of each of the three action alternatives
were compared against the 10 issue criteria identified
during the scoping process. Then the impacts of each alter-
native relative to one another (Table 2) were compared for
identification of the preferred alternative. The Congahbuna
and Threemile housing/airstrip options were then compared
with the Lone Creek option to determine whether either
option provided a significant advantage over the Lone Creek
site such that it could substitute for the Lone Creek option
in one or more of the alternatives.
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TABLE 2
EVALUATION CRITERIA MATRIX SHOWING RELATIVE TOTAL IMPACT
VALUES ASSIGNED TO THE THREE ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Evaluation
Criteria
Southern/
Granite Pt.
Northern/
Ladd
Eastern/
ladd
I. Minimize risk of water
quality degradation and
alteration to flows
2. Minimize impacts to
fish and fish habitat
3. Minimize impacts to
wildlife and wildlife
habitats
4. Minimize potential
reclamation problems
5. Minimize impacts to set
net fishery
6. Minimize impacts to
traditional subsistence
harvest activities
7. Minimize social, cultural,
and economic impact upon
local residents
Minimize cumulative
regional use impacts
Minimize technical
complexity
8.
9.
10. Minimize cost
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
Low
No Data
Moderate
Moderate
High
Low
High
Low
Moderate
Moderate
Low
No Data
Low
Low
Lew
Low
High
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
No Data
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identificationof Preferred Alternative
The eastern/Ladd alternative, using the Lone Creek
housing site, clearly had the least overall relative total
impact value and was identified as the primary preferred
alternative. Whether the applicant could develop an eastern
corridor, however, is not certain since the corridor would
cross private land owned by Tyonek Native Corporation. To
date, the applicant has been unable to negotiate a right-of-
way across that land. Thus, since there is no assurance
that an eastern corridor could be developed even though
identified as the preferred alternative, the southern
Granite Point alternative was identified as the secondary
preferred alternative.
Environmental Consequences of thePreferred Alternative
Overall environmental consequences would be similar
regardless of whether the primary or secondary preferred
alternative were developed. At maximum mine extent, project
components would disturb about 2,029 ha (5,014 ac) of vege-
tated terrain. However, because of the ongoing reclamation
of mined out areas, the actual unvegetated surface area at
any one time in the mine life would be substantially less.
About 24 percent of the area to be disturbed is classified
as wetland.
Wildlife impacts would include loss of habitat during
the mine life and for a period thereafter. Moose, brown
bear, and black bear would be affected, as well as small
mammals and birds. Loss of moose winter range at the pro-
posed port site and a portion of a rutting area in the mine
vicinity would be among the more important impacts.
Movement of large mammals would be partially impeded by the
conveyor system, although the presence of wildlife crossing
areas would assure access across the transportation corri-
dor , Reclamation of disturbed terrain would return wildlife
values in the long term to near the premining condition.
Water quality and hydrology of Chuitna River tribu-
taries within and adjacent to the mine site would be sig-
nificantly altered during mine operation, for a period
thereafter, and possibly over the long term depending on
postmining hydrological characteristics and on the success
of stream reclamation. Impacts would include increased
suspended solids concentrations, higher turbidity, and
reduced flow in some stream segments. A substantial portion
of one tributary would be mined through causing direct habi-
tat loss.
Loss of fish productivity, including such key species
as chinook and coho salmon, would occur during mine opera-
tion and for a period thereafter. It is questionable
whether mined-through streams could be returned to premining
productivity; therefore, fish productivity loss could be a
-------
long term impact. Loss in productivity would have a small
adverse impact on the Chuitna River sport fishery and a very
small effect on commercial and subsistence fisheries in the
marine environment.
Air quality would be degraded only locally with no
significant impact to populated areas.
Socioeconomic impacts to the Anchorage and Kenai
Peninsula population centers would be minor or insignifi-
cant. Tyonek residents would receive both beneficial and
adverse impacts from the project. Increased employment
opportunities and village income would be potential benefits
while the increased development and human intrusion into the
area would likely cause disruption to traditional Native
lifestyles and loss of subsistence hunting and fishing
opportunities.
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Chapter 1,0
Purpose of and Need for Action
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1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 The EIS Process
The National Environmental Policy Act CNEPA) of 1969
requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact State-
ment (EIS) whenever a proposed major federal action could
significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
Large development projects, such as the Diamond Chuitna Coal
Project, normally require permits from one or more federal
agencies. The issuance of these permits can be considered a
major federal action if the range of anticipated impacts is
of sufficient magnitude to potentially create significant
effects. The agency or agencies involved make a determina-
tion regarding significant impacts and can elect to prepare
an EIS if needed. The agency can either prepare the EIS
itself or contract the preparation of all or part of the
document (under the agency's supervision).
The NEPA regulations which outline the purpose,
requirements, and procedures for the EIS process may be
found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 40 CFR Parts
1500 to 1508. NEPA regulations also require that the EIS
address, to the fullest extent possible, state and local
planning requirements in addition to the federal permitting
actions. An EIS provides an information base which assists
state and local agencies in addressing their permitting and
other regulatory actions.
The primary purpose of the EIS process is to ensure
that environmental information is available to public offi-
cials and citizens before permit decisions are made and
before actions are taken. The process must encourage and
facilitate public involvement in the decisions affecting the
quality of the human environment.
"Scoping" is the first step of the EIS process. The
purpose of the scoping process is to provide an opportunity
for members of the public, interest groups, and agencies to
assist in defining the significant environmental issues
related to the proposed project. Once these specific issues
are identified, they are described in a document called the
Responsiveness Summary that is distributed to all interested
agencies and parties. These issues form the primary basis
for determining the range of alternatives considered in the
EIS.
Following scoping, the lead agency or agencies must
ensure that sufficient environmental information is
available to adequately address the significant issues
1-1
-------
raised during the scoping process. Alternative means of
achieving the proposed project's objectives are developed
and the environmental impacts are studied and compared.
Finally, the EIS document is prepared and distributed to the
public in draft form (DEIS) for a minimum of 45 days for
formal review. During this period, public hearings or
meetings are held to discuss the DEIS and to receive com-
ments. Submission of written comments is also encouraged.
Comments are evaluated following public review and the
DEIS is changed accordingly. All written comments received
during the review period are either reproduced in the final
EIS (FEIS) or summarized (depending on the number of com-
ments) and the points raised are individually addressed in
that document. The FEIS is then distributed for another
public review period of at least 30 days before any deci-
sions about the project can be implemented. This is to
allow for additional public comments on the FEIS.
Once a permit decision has been made, a formal public
record of decision is prepared by each permitting federal
agency. The Record of Decision (ROD) states what major per-
mit decision was made, identifies all alternatives con-
sidered (including those considered environmentally
preferable) , and may discuss preferences among alternatives
based on factors such as economic, technical, national
policy and agency, mission considerations. The ROD also
states what means to* avoid or minimize environmental harm
were adopted and the rationale.
1.1.2 EIS Document Structure
The basic format for an EIS is prescribed by the NEP&
regulations. Each section has a specific purpose and often
is required to include certain kinds of information. Fol-
lowing is a brief description of the major sections of this
EIS.
° Summary - A summary of the EIS stressing major
conclusions, areas of controversy, and the issues
to be resolved is presented in this section.
° Purpose of i and Need for _Action - This chapter
(1.0}specifiestheunaerTyihg purpose of the
action for which the EIS is being written and why
the action is needed.
0 The Proposed ^Project - This chapter (2.0) des-
cribes the individual components of the project as
proposed by the applicant and the specific options
being considered for each component. It tells how
the project will be developed.
0 Alternatives Including the__ Proposed Action
Chapter 3.0 is the heart of the EIS. It describes
1-2
-------
all the initial options that were considered for
the project, why many of them were eliminated, and
how the final options and alternatives (set of
options comprising a total project) were selected.
Then, based on the information and analyses pre-
sented in the chapters that follow (Affected
Environment and Environmental Consequences), the
chapter presents the environmental impacts of the
proposed project alternatives in comparative form,
sharply defining the issues and providing a clear
basis for choice by the decision-makers and the
public. It also identifies and describes the
preferred alternative.
Affected Environment - Chapter 4."0 succinctly
describestheexisting environment of the area
which would be affected by development of the pro-
ject. It explains the environment as it currently
exists before project development begins.
Environmental Consequences - This chapter (5.0)
forms the scientific and analytic basis for the
comparison of alternatives in Chapter 3.0. It
details the potential environmental impacts which
could be expected for each alternative considering
the mitigation, monitoring, and reclamation proce-
dures which would be used. In addition, .it
describes unavoidable impacts, discusses any irre-
versible or irretrievable commitments of re-
sources, and describes the relationship between
short- and long-term productivity.
Mitigation, Reclamation and Monitoring - Chapter
6.0outlinespotential mitigationand reclamation
measures planned relative to each environmental
component and describes the proposed program to
monitor the effectiveness of those measures.
Consultation and Coordination - This chapter (7.0)
describestheprocessforSoliciting input from
agencies and the public and how the process is
coordinated with the agencies' permitting pro-
cesses .
Public Response to the DEIS - Chapter 10.0 in-
eludesaresponseEocomments received during the
DEIS review, both at public hearings and as writ-
ten comments. Responses indicate how the final
document was changed or why no changes were made.
Appendices - These sections incorporate important
supplementary material prepared in connection with
the EIS which is more appropriately presented
separately from the body of the document.
1-3
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1.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
This section describes the proposed federal admini-
strative actions that have created the need for this EIS.
Diamond Alaska Coal Company (Diamond Alaska) proposes
to develop a 10.9 million Mt (12 million short tons) per
year coal mine in the Beluga region of upper Cook Inlet,
Alaska. The project would consist of a surface mine and
associated transportation, shipping, and housing facilities.
Diamond Alaska has initiated the process of applying for the
various permits and approvals needed for such a development.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been
considering the issuance of New Source National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for wastewater
discharges from the proposed Diamond Chuitna Coal Project.
In addition, the U.S. Department of the Army Corps of Engi-
neers (Corps), Alaska District, has jurisdiction over this
action under Section 10 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899
which provides for control over structures or work in or
affecting navigable waters of the U.S.; and under Section
404 of the Clean Water Act which provides for regulation of
the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters,
including wetlands. Action by the Corps could result in
denial of the permit, issuance of the permit, or issuance of
the permit with stipulations. The Corps intends to adopt
this EIS to fulfill its NEPA obligations if its concerns are
satisfied in the document.
EPA's NPDES regulations [40 CFR 122.29(c)(2)] require
that the EIS include a recommendation on whether the NPDES
Permit should be issued or denied. They also require that
such action shall occur only after a complete evaluation of
the projected impacts and recommendations contained in the
final EIS (FEISH40 CFR 122 . 29 (c) ( 3) ] .
Pursuant to NEPA and implementing regulations issued by
the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), EPA, and the
Corps, this EIS has been prepared to evaluate the potential
impacts of the proposed actions on the environment and to
fulfill the permitting requirements of EPA and the Corps.
EPA has the lead responsibility for preparing this document
and the Corps is a cooperating agency. The Alaska Depart-
ment of Natural Resources is also a cooperating agency
because of its role in implementing the federal Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act through the Alaska
Surface Coal Mining Program (see Section 1.5).
1.3 PROJECT LOCATION, HISTORY, AND STATUS
The proposed project would be located on the northwest
side of upper Cook Inlet, approximately 72 km (45 mi) west
of Anchorage and 12.8 km (8 mi) west of the Native community
of Tyonek (Fig. 1-1). The area is bounded by the Beluga
1-4
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1
U1
BELUGA LAKE
SUSITNA RIVER
BELUGA RIVER
DIAMOND CHUITNA
COAL LEASE AREA
mmf ANCHORAGE
CHUITNA RIVER
NORTH POftELAND
TRADING BAY REFUGE
MC ARTHER
RIVER ,
REGIONAL
LOCATION
DRIFT RIVER
OIL PIPELINE
DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT LOCATION
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 1-1
-------
River on the north, the Alaska Range on the west, the flats
of Trading Bay State Game Refuge on the southwest, and Cook
Inlet on the south and east.
The mine would be situated north of the Chuitna River
at an elevation of approximately 229 m (750 ft) and would be
19.2 km (12 mi) from tidewater at Granite Point (Fig. 1-2).
Topography of the project area consists of gently undulating
hills and ridges at the mine site interspersed with small
streams, ponds, and muskegs, becoming flatter south of the
Chuitna River as elevation slowly decreases toward Granite
Point. Mixed coniferous and deciduous forests and woodlands
extend over most of the project area.
The presence of coal outcrops in the Beluga region of
upper Cook Inlet has been known for decades. The area con-
taining these outcrops was selected soon after statehood by
the State of Alaska under the federal government's mental
health land grant entitlement. The five coal leases
affected by the proposed project were issued by the State to
the Bass, Hunt, Wilson Group between 1972 and 1978. Coal
leases in the area have also been issued to other companies.
Throughout the 1970s, further exploration occurred on
the leases, including core drilling to define the reserves.
In 1981, the Diamond Shamrock Chuitna Coal Joint Venture
was formed to develop the project. The venture partners are
Maxus Energy Corporation, a large integrated natural resour-
ces company, and the Lone Creek Coal Company. The operating
arm of the joint venture is Diamond Alaska Coal Company of
Anchorage, a subsidiary of Maxus Energy Corporation. The
joint venture holds sublease agreements to the five leases
(ADL nos. 36911, 36913, 36914, 37002, and 59502) which
constitute the entire lease area.
Diamond Alaska has overseen an intensified drilling
program and the completion of many engineering and economic
studies, which included a detailed Preliminary Design Phase
Study. Environmental baseline studies were begun in 1982
and largely completed in 1984. Limited preconstruction
monitoring has also begun.
The coal is sub-bituminous, low sulphur, low ash, high
moisture steam coal with an average of 4,250 kilocalories
per kilogram (7,650 BTU per pound). Diamond Alaska has been
marketing the coal to electric utilities, cement, and
industrial users in the Pacific states of the United States
and to Pacific rim countries, primarily Japan, Taiwan, and
Korea.
1.4 SCOPING ISSUES
During the scoping process, which involved the full
participation of Diamond Alaska, members of the public, spe-
cial interest groups, and agencies involved in the EIS pro-
1-6
-------
i Susltna Flats
Wildlife Refuge
Felt Lakeffefp
Denslow Lake
Chugach Elecjric
Beluga Power Station
::;:iL.ake
Hi %/Ladd
!?yonek Native. Corporation:::?
Congahbuna
Lake
Granite Point
A,
•:$:$:/Tyonek
Foreland
o
SCALE
1 2 3
•sesas^
IN MILES
DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT AREA
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 1-2
1-7
-------
cess, the following 10 issues were identified as being of
major concern if the project is developed:
Issue 1: Maintainthe integrityof theChuitna River
watershed by minimizing impactstowater quality
and maintaining proper flows
The proposed project has the potential to alter the
characteristics of the Chuitna River watershed in a number
of ways:
0 Direct disturbance of stream courses in mined
areas
0 Interruption or diversion of ground water regimes
which could alter input to surface drainages
0 Diversion of surface water flow from one subbasin
to another
0 Degradation of water quality as a result of sedi-
ment load from disturbed areas, chemical leaching
from coal or overburden, or pollution from sani-
tary facilities
Issue 2: Maintain the qualityof fishhabitats in the
Chuitna River system and^ minimize impactsto resi-
dent and anadromgus fish
Fish habitats could be affected by direct disturbance
of stream courses, reduced flows, or water quality degrada-
tion.
Issue 3; tMinimize disruption of wildlife and wildlife
habitats, including importantseasonal use and
migrationareas
The proposed project has the potential to alter the
nature and productivity of wildlife habitats and to impede
the movements of wildlife.
Issue4: Assure successful reclamationof projectcom-
ponents
The surface mine and other components of the proposed
project would temporarily disturb substantial areas of vege-
tated terrain and existing stream courses. Returning these
disturbed areas to a biologically productive condition is a
significant concern.
Issue 5; Minimizeimpacts to the commercial set_net fishery
human user and marine life movements near the port
trestle
1-8
-------
The existence of port facilities would have the poten-
tial . to impede various coastal activities engaged in by
humans and to alter the movement of fish and marine mammals.
Issue6:Minimizeimpacts to subsistence resources,
includingaccess to thoseresources, as tradi-
tionally used by local residents
Hunting, fishing, and trapping activities required by
local residents for their subsistence could be affected by
either reduced numbers of fish and wildlife in existing use
areas or by restricted access to traditional use areas.
I_ssue 7; Minimize the social, cultural, and economic
impacts on local residents
Development of the proposed mine and its housing and
transportation infrastructure could affect the lifestyles
and livelihoods of local residents, particularly residents
of Tyonek.
Issue 8; Maintain a regional perspective to minimize the
cumulative img_a_cts of this and other potential
development projects
Facilities developed for the proposed project could
influence the future development of the area and the extent
of cumulative impacts. Therefore, a regional perspective
for facility planning should be employed to minimize the
range of cumulative impacts that could occur.
Iss_ue 9 ; Minimize enhancesof _ _ system failure by incor-
poratingtechnically feasible component siting,
design, and mitigationfeatures ,
If components or mitigation and reclamation measures
become too complex or utilize uncertain technology, then an
increased risk of failure could result.
/
Is_sue_10; Component siting, _design, and mitigation features
should be cost effective
If project costs exceed reasonable or practical limits
then economic feasibility could become an issue.
1.5 STATUS OF PERMITS AND APPROVALS
One of the purposes of the EIS process is to address
the environmental and other concerns of federal, state, and
local agencies responsible for the various regulatory func-
tions associated with ultimate approval of a project. The
EIS process recognizes the informational needs of these
agencies as they proceed through their permitting processes
and seeks to incorporate relevant information to assist
those agencies in their permitting decisions. The public
1-9
-------
hearings, which are an integral part of the EIS process and
cover all concerns pertinent to the project, also serve as
public participation forums for state and federal permitting
processes.
The reader should take note, however, that concurrent
with the EIS process, the Alaska Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) has conducted a thorough review of Diamond
Alaska's 27-volume application for a permit to conduct sur-
face mining. This permit process, conducted pursuant to the
Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act
(AS27.21,11AAC Chapt. 90), entailed a much more thorough and
detailed analysis of Diamond Alaska's proposed 10-year
mining plan than this EIS can .reasonably accommodate.
Through delegated authority, compliance with the state sur-
face mining laws assures compliance with the federal laws
governing surface mining under the Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act. The EIS serves as an overall planning
tool that addresses-component siting and operations over the
34-year life of the project and beyond. While certain
important aspects of the 10-year mining plan are discussed
and analyzed in the EIS, the reader is encouraged to contact
the DNR at the address shown on page 7-8 for information
related to the surface mining permits.
Diamond Alaska is pursuing the full range of other per-
mits and approvals required for their proposed project.
Table 1-1 lists the major permits required and their current
status. Superimposed on the individual permit application
procedures are two more or less separate but interrelated
environmental review processes. The first is the NEPA
review process of which this EIS is a part. As discussed in
Section 1.2, this EIS provides the background and documen-
tation necessary for processing the major federal permits.
In addition, the State of AlasKa, through a centralized per-
mit review process administered by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB), reviews all the state permits with indi-
vidual regulatory agencies. Although each agency issues its
own permits, permit decisions are coordinated through OMB on
..any ^projects which affect the State's coastal zone. OMB
makes the final determination of consistency with the Alaska
Coastal Management Program.
1-10
-------
table 1-1
S1ATU5 nr MAJOR PERMITS AND APPROVALS
Project Component Lease/Permit/Approval
Prior to Alaska Coasts! Manageoent Proqran (ACMP)
T ranaportation
Right-of-way Pernit and Easement, ADl 200680
(to Granite Point) - joint application with
Beluga Coal Coapany
Land Lease, ADL 66114 (Granite Paint uplands)
- joint application with Beluga Coal Company
Port
Port Tide and Submerged Lande Lease, ADL
(Granite Point) - joint application xith
Beluga Coal Company
A looks Coaatal Manageannt Progra* (ACHP) - Phaae I
AKa60218-26A (Mine)
AK86021B-27A (Irans/Houaing)
AKB60218-28A (Port)
Mine
Port
Housing
Mine
Housing
Housing
T ransportation
Mine
Mine
Mine
Permit to conduct aurfaca alining.
No. 01-85-796
Hater Rights, LAS No. 5558 (Granite Point)
Water Rights, LAS No. 5556
Water Rights, LAS No. 555?
Land Lease, ADL 221186 (includea solid water site)
Solid Waste Disposal Permit, No. 8625-BAQQJ
Ansdrotaoua Fish Protection Permit, Title 16
(Granite Point, housing, landing atrip)
Lend Lease, AOL 222752 (Permanent Solid Waste
Diaposal Site)
Solid Haste Disposal Permit, No. 862)-BA002
(Permanent Site)
Land Lease, ADL 22275J (Temporary Solid Waste
Disposal Site)
Solid Huste Disposal Perait, No. 8625-BA001
(Temporary Site)
Regulatory Agency
ADNR (slate)
ADNR (state)
ADNR (slate)
Application
SutMtittal Dote
July 12, 197B
Amended April 15, 1982
October 24, 1974
Amended November 25, 1981
October 24, 1974
Amended November 25, 1981
Status
In adjudication
In adjudication
In adjudication
Deternined Consietent with the ACMP August 21, 1987
AONR/OOH
January 15, 1985
August 21, 1987, Positive
Decision
WMR/1XWM
AONR/TXWM
ADNR/DLWM
ADNR/DLMH
»EC
AOFiG
ADNR/OLWI
ADEC
AONR/DtWM
ADEC
Fetiruary 7,
February 7,
February 7,
1986
1986
1986
Nay 16, 19B5
February 7,
February 7,
February 14
February 7,
February 14
February 7,
19B6
1986
, 1986
1986
, 1986
1986
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
In adjudication
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
In adjudication
Review in Progress
In adjudication
Review in Progress
-------
Table 1-1
STATUS Of MAJOR PERMITS AND APPROVALS
(continued)
Project Component Lease/Permit/Approval
Regulatory Agency
Application
Subnittal Date
Statua
T ransportation/
Houalng
Mine
Mine
Transportation
Land Lease, ADL 221187 (Landing Strip)
Rights-of-Wsy (5 separata approvals Tor
vegetation analysis plots)
Anadronous Fish Protection Permit, Title 16
Material Sites, AOL 221188 through 221190
(3 eitesKGranite Point)
ADNR/DLWH
ADNR/DLWH
ADF4G
ADNR/DLWH
Hay 16, 1985
Hsy 16, 1905
February 7, 1986
Hay 16, 1985
Alaska Coaatal Management Program (ACM1) - Phase II includes NCPA Proceaa, federal approvals end state permits for Ladd
Begins with distribution of DEIS
U.S. EPA
Hine
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Syste
(NPDESH19 discharges)
Port (Granite Point) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systc
(NPDESH2 discharges)
Housing
Port (Lsdd)
Mine, Housing,
T ranaportaton
and both Porta
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Syateo
(NPOCSHJ discharges)
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDCS)d discharge)
U.S. EPA
U.S. EPA
U.S. EPA
Department of the Army Permit (Sections 10 & 404) COE
July 26, 1983
Amend
July 26, 1983
Amend
July 26, 1983
Amend
January 1987
June 5, 1987
Revised
In adjudication
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
Under review - pending
completion of the NEPA
process
Under review - pending
completion of the NEPA
process
Under review - pending
completion of the NEPA
process
Under review - pending
completion of the NEPA
process
Under review - pending
completion of the NEPA
process
Hine, Housing, Certificate of Reasonable Assurance (Water
and both Port Sitea Quality Certification)
Transportation
Port
Right-of-way Permit and Easement,
ADL 223706 (Lsdd)
ADEC
WNR/DLWH
Tide and Submerged Lands Lease, ADL 22)707 (Ladd) AONH/DLWH
Review of NPDES
Applications
June 5, 1987
June b, 1987
Review in Progress
In adjudication
In adjudication
-------
Table 1-1
STATUS or HAJOB PERMITS AND APPROVALS
(continued)
Project Component Lease/Pnrait/Approval
Regulatory Agency
Application
Subnittal Dote
Status
Port Water Rights, LAS No. to be assigned (Ladd)
Transportation Material Sites, ADL 22370B through 223717
(10 sitesHLadd)
WNR/DLWH
SONR/DLVW
June 5, 1987
June 5, 19B7
Transportation Anadronoua fish protection Permit, Title 16 (Ladd) K>fIf, June S, 1987
Port Maatewater Disposal Perslt (Ladd) WEC June 5, 1987
Other Permits and Appmv*!* (ACNP - Phaea III For Final Deaign and Construction) applied for aa needed
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
Review in Progress
Transportation
Right-of-May Easenent
Nine, Port & Housing Plan review for sewerage syatena of water and
wastewater treatment works
Nine, Transportation, Plan approval drainage/erosion
Port & Housing
KPB
ADEC
KPB
April 24, 1987
In adjudication
To be submitted
To be submitted
Hine, Houning,
T raneportatiori
and Port
Air Quality Control Permit to Operate
WEC
Dececber 1986
Aaended
Review in Progress
Nina
Miscellaneous Burning Peraits
WEC
To be aubnitted
-------
Chapter 2.0
The Proposed Project
-------
2.0 THE PROPOSED PROJECT
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the Diamond Chuitna coal project
— what the various parts (components) of the project are,
where they would be located, and how they would function.
The applicant's plans for construction and operation of each
component (e.g., power source, worker housing, etc.) are
described. For some components (e.g., location of the
transportation corridor), the EIS scoping process, the third
party EIS team, a federal or state agency or the applicant
itself have identified more than one option. In these
cases, each of the other options is described in addition to
the applicant's proposed option.
The applicant has proposed mitigation measures for each
component to reduce adverse impacts. These measures are
described in this chapter. The discussions of environmental
consequences (Chapter 5.0) assume these mitigation measures
will be in place if the project is constructed. Mitigation
measures other than (or in addition to) those which have
been proposed by the applicant are described in Chapter 6.0.
These other mitigation measures could be required of the
applicant as stipulations to permits issued by federal and
state agencies.
The applicant's proposed mitigation measures for the
mine itself are only for the first ten years of the project.
A new mitigation plan, based upon experience, would be deve-
loped toward the end of that period to be applied to the
next mining increment.
The Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation
Act (AS 27.21) and pertinent regulations (11 AAC Chapter 90)
require very detailed information about several aspects of
an applicant's proposed plan of operation (e.g., water
drainage control and treatment, reclamation). The volume of
this information makes it impractical to incorporate it into
this EIS. Therefore, this chapter only summarizes the major
aspects of the proposed project. However, references to the
location of this detailed information in Diamond Alaska Coal
Company's 27-volume Permit Application to Conduct Surface
Coal Mining (1985) are given for readers who wish to pursue
more specific details (see Section 7.7 for locations of the
permit application).
2-1
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2.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW AND COMPONENTS
2.2.1 Introduction
Since the applicant has not yet concluded a final
contract for sale of coal, the length of time it would take
to develop the project to its full production capacity of
10.9 million Mt (12 million short tons) is unknown, but
would occur in stages depending upon economics. As coal
production increased, staged development of the mine,
housing site, overland coal transportation system, port
site, and loading trestle would occur commensurate with pro-
duction requirements. Under optimal conditions, full pro-
duction capacity could be reached after four years of
operation. However, it is likely that full production would
take longer than four years to reach and, thus, the full
impacts of the completed project would not occur until some
undetermined time in the future.
The project overview below generally describes the pro-
ject at full production. Most mine development impacts
would be of lower magnitude before full production is
reached. The exceptions would be short-term activities such
as hauling coal by truck. This would occur only during the
early years of the project and may cause greater impacts
than transporting coal by conveyor.
2.2.2 Project Overview
Development of the Diamond Chuitna project would
involve a surface coal mine located approximately 72 km
(45 mi) west of Anchorage (Fig. 1-1). The coal would be
strip mined by large shovels and draglines and hauled by
trucks to a nearby mine area conveyotr for transport to a
mine service area for crushing. The crushed coal initially
would be hauled in trucks from the mine service area to a
port on Cook Inlet. After two years of mine operation, coal
would be moved from the mine service area to the port on a
conveyor. At lower production levels, the coal would be
loaded from a short trestle at the port onto barges for
transport to market. At higher production levels, coal
would be loaded from a long trestle onto ships.
Under the optimal, four-year full production develop-
ment schedule, production in the first year of mine opera-
tion would be approximately 1.8 million Mt (2 million short
tons). Production would increase to about 3.6 Mt (4 million
short tons) in the second year. In the third year, produc-
tion would increase to approximately 5.4 million Mt (6 mil-
lion short tons), reaching 10.9 million Mt (12 million short
tons) per year by the fourth year of mine operation.
Figure 2-1 shows the locations of the project component
options used to formulate the action alternatives. The
mine, overburden stockpile, and mine service area all would
be located on land owned by the State of Alaska (Fig. 4-1).
2-2
-------
4-
LEGEND
AIRSTRIP
Susitna Flats
Wildlife Refuge
TYONiK NATIVE CORP. BOUNDARY
HOUSING
•SS&i;: PORT SITE
Denslow Lake
Chugach Elec|-ric
Beluga Power Station
Beluga
Airstrip
p. EXISTING CHUGACH
POWER LINE
Congahbuoa
Lake
--, Trading Bay
Refuge
T
Nikolai Ck;
! Airstrip^
Granite Point
North Foreland ,L»
o
^o
IN MILES
SOURCE: DIAMOND ALASKA COAL COMPANY
FINAL PROJECT OPTIONS LOCATIONS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-1
2-3
-------
There are three transportation corridor options:
northern/Ladd, eastern/Ladd, and southern/Granite Point
(Fig. 2-1). The northern corridor would run east from the
mine service area across state land toward the Beluga
airstrip, then turn south southeast across land owned by
Cook Inlet Region Native Corporation to a port site at Ladd
on land owned by the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB). The
eastern corridor would run in a straight line southeast from
the mine service area across state land and land owned by
the Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) to the same port site at
Ladd. The southern corridor would run in a straight line
south from the mine service area across state and KPB land
to a port site on state land at Granite Point. The Lone
Creek and Threemile housing sites are located on state land,
while the Congahbuna housing site and airstrip are located
on KPB land.
2.2.3 ProjectComponents and Options
In reviewing this document, it is important that the
reader understand the relationship among the terms
"component", "option", and "alternative." The project has
several components, each one a necessary part of an entire
viable mining project (e.g., the mine, transportation
system, port site, housing site, etc.). For each component
there may be one or more options (e.g., a southern or a
southeastern transportation corridor location option). An
alternative is a combination of options (one for each com-
ponent) that consititutes an entire functioning project.
For most components the EIS scoping process initially
identified at least two options. .The process by which this
large number of options was screened to reduce the number to
a manageable level and how the ultimate project alternatives
were selected is described in detail in Chapter 3.0. The
descriptions below for each project component, therefore,
address only those component options which were ultimately
retained and which are specifically addressed in at least
one of the action alternatives for each scenario. For each
component where more than one option remains, the appli-
cant's preferred option is described first.
2.3 MINE AREA FACILITIES
2.3.1 Locat ion and Size
The mine would be located entirely within logical
mining unit no. 1 (LMU-1), one of three units within the
lease area and the only one involved in the proposed 34-year
project (Fig. 2-2). LMU-1 covers approximately 4,047 ha
(10,000 ac) and contains a minimum of 299 million Mt (330
million short tons) of coal.
The sizes and locations of the coal seams, the nature
of the overburden* and interburden*, and the economics
2-4
-------
NORTH PIT
MINING LIMIT
LEASE AREA
BOUNDERV
SOUTH PIT
OV1ERBURD
OCKPILE
ORTHERN/
ONVEYCXR
HAUL ROAD
MINE
SERVICE
AREA
AIRSIRIP
EASTERN
CONVEYOR
LON
CREEK
HOUSING
AREA
SOUTHERN
CONVEYOR
SCALE IN MILES
01/21 2
HAUL ROAD
SOURCE; DIAMOND ALASKA COAL COMPANY
FINAL MINE AREA OPTIONS LOCATIONS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental impact Statement
FIGURE 2-2
2-5
-------
involved in mining the coal are such that only surface
mining would be feasible. The coal is contained in five
major seams, each varying in thickness between 1.8 and 6.1 m
(6-20 ft), with a cumulative stripping ratio of 3.9:1 (i.e.,
3.9 m^ of overburden to 1 Mt of recoverable coal [4.6:1, or
4.6 yd 3 per short ton]). The actual area to be mined
(mining limit) would be approximately 2,029 ha (5,014 ac) in
size and would be divided into north and south pits (Fig.
2-2) which would be mined simultaneously but in separate
operations during the life of the project. These pits would
begin on the northeast edge of the mining limit and proceed
generally west and southwest, respectively, during the life
of the project.
A maximum of 182 ha (450 ac) of pit would be open at
any one time. An additional maximum of 61 ha (150 ac)
around the pit would be disturbed at any one time in
clearing and grubbing vegetation in preparation for
stripping overburden, or recontouring in preparation for
revegetation. A total of approximately 63 ha (155 ac) per
year would be cleared for mining in two periods - most
likely spring and fall. Maximum depth of the pit would
range from 6.1 m (20 ft) during the first year of production
to approximately 122 m (400 ft) in the final years of the
project. Average pit depth would be about 61 m (200 ft).
2.3.2 Mining Sequence and Methods
Mining activities would begin with the clearing and
grubbing of all trees, brush, stumps, and other vegetation.
This slash material would be burned, if conditions allowed,
or buried n n<^ or ai^orrnat-o cnn i 1 in t- ho m i no nit- if hnrninrr
separate pile for use during revegetation. Then, approxi-
d under adequate spoil in the mine pit if burning
were not possible. Topsoil would be removed and stored in a
separate pile for use during revegetation. Then, approxi-
mately 16.8 million m3 (22 million yd3) of overburden,
excluding topsoil, initially would be excavated (the "box
cut"*) and permanently placed in an overburden stockpile
(Fig. 2-2). After completion of the box cut, as new topsoil
and overburden are excavated from the pit's advancing face
to expose the coal, the overburden would be put onto the
trailing edge of the pit from which the coal would have
already been removed (Fig. 2-3). This area would then be
reclaimed by regrading it to its approximate premining con-
tours, including stream locations and drainages, covering it
with topsoil, and then revegetating it. Because of an
approximate 18 percent swell factor associated with the
reclaimed overburden, the original surface contours could be
approximated without use of the material in the permanent
During the first year of production, mining methods
would employ shovels (15-19 m3 [20-25 yd^] capacity), over-
burden haul trucks (136-154 Mt [150-170 short ton] pay-
loads), and coal haul trucks (91-136 Mt [100-150 short ton])
for stripping and coal recovery. A 44 m^ (57 yd 3) dragline
2-6
-------
NJ
I
ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION -
MINING AND RECLAMATION SEQUENCE
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-3
-------
would be added later with a smaller 27 m^ (35 yd^) dragline
added when full production was resumed. At full production
capacity, the draglines would be used for overburden and
interburden removal while the shovels and haul trucks would
be used for prestripping of overburden.
Coal would be loaded onto trucks directly from the
seams by hydraulic backhoes, shovels, or front end loaders.
Because of the unconsolidated nature of both the overburden
and interburden and the tendency of the coal to crumble, no
major blasting is anticipated. Some infrequent secondary
blasting would be required, primarily to move large glacial
erratic boulders which are scattered throughout the overbur-
den. Such blasting would occur an average of once per week.
Run-of-the-mine coal would be hauled by truck to a pri-
mary crusher located in front of the advancing mine face
between the north and south pits (Fig. 2-3). The primary
crusher would be moved every three to five years. The coal
would be crushed to a maximum size of 15 cm (6 in) and
carried about 3,962 m (13,000 ft) by a 1.4 m (54 in), two-
span partially enclosed mine area conveyor system to a
secondary crusher (located in the mine service area outside
the mining limit) where it would be crushed to a maximum
size of 5 cm (2 in) and then weighed. The mine area con-
veyor would be elevated in at least four locations so that
the bottom of the horizontal steel support pipe would be a
minimum of 2.4 m (8 ft) above ground level to permit
crossing by moose and bears.
2.3.3 Water Control andTreatment
The discussion below summarizes the major aspects of
the proposed water drainage control and treatment system.
More detailed information may be found in Vol. XVII, Sec.
4.12, of the state surface mine permit application (Diamond
Alaska Coal Company 1985). The two water control processes
needed in the mine area to handle surface and ground-water
flows both within and around the active mine pit are
described below. During the initial 10 years of operation,
portions of streams 200304 and 200305 would be mined and a
sediment pond would be located in stream 200305 . A major
portion of stream 2003 (Fig. 2-2) would be displaced during
the later years of the project.
2.3.3.1 Runoff from Areas Outside the Active Mine Pit
The area to be mined during initial 10 years of opera-
. tion is topographically situated such that it would
receive little natural runoff from surrounding undisturbed
areas. Thus, little runoff would have to be diverted around
the mining area for discharge into existing drainages.
The primary collection ditch and sediment pond system
for runoff from within the area to be mined would be con-
-------
structed prior to mining and would be maintained until
completion of reclamation (Fig. 2-4). Note that this system
covers only the first 10 years of operation (7 years of
mining). The collection ditches would carry runoff from
disturbed and undisturbed areas within the area to be mined,
the overburden stockpile, and mine service area to sediment
ponds. These ponds would function by retaining the water to
allow suspended solids to settle out prior to discharge to
existing drainages. Depending upon the location, amount and
quality of the collected water, it might also be handled or
controlled by various other methods including sediment
treatment structures, dugout pond/filter dams, sediment
filter fabrics, gravel pads, and vegetation barriers.
All discharges would meet applicable water quality
standards. Where other treatment was necessary before
discharge, e.g., flocculation, additional treatment facili-
ties would be built in conjunction with the sediment ponds.
Figure 2-5 shows a typical two-structure sediment pond
system with flocculant building. The collection ditch/sedi-
ment pond system would be redesigned and rebuilt at inter-
vals to accommodate ' drainage needs using the experience
gained during the first 10 years of operation.
On the northwestern and western sides of the mine area,
space is available for location of adequately sized sediment
ponds to handle sediment loads with little or no additional
treatment. However, on the northeastern and eastern sides
of the mine area, space would be limited between the mine
pit and Lone Creek. In these areas, sediment ponds with
additional sediment treatment structures would be necessary
during periods of high runoff. These treatment structures
would consist of a series of excavations and embankments
using baffles and selective routing to control, treat, and
allow monitoring of runoff prior to discharge into Lone
Creek..
Once the water is treated, it would be released from
the ponds into natural drainages at the 18 points shown in
Figure 2-4. Outflow from sediment pond concrete spillways
would be controlled by a riprap energy dissipator to mini-
mize potential erosion.
The sediment ponds would be dredged periodically with
the dredged material put into the mine pit and covered by at
least 1.2 m (4 ft) of nontoxic spoil material.
2.3.3.2 Active Mine Pit Water
Control of surface runoff from rainfall and snowmelt
within the active mine pit and ground water that would drain
into the pit during the mining process would be handled in
the same manner. Water would be collected in sumps* with a
reserve storage capacity to allow initial settling of sus-
pended solids and any additional treatment which might be
2-9
-------
LEGEND
SEDIMENT POND WITH
TREATMENT FACILITY
SEDIMENT POND WITHOUT
TREATMENT FACILITY
DISCHARGE POINTS
DIVERSION DITCHES
< ,
JNDARY
Si 'NT '---
MINE AREA DRAINAGE CONTROL AND TREATMENT FACILITIES
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-4
-------
ARTIST'S ILLUST|RATiON -
TYPICAL SEDihdNT POND
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-5
-------
necessary (e.g., buffering, flocculation). The water would
then be pumped from the active mining areas to the adjacent
larger sediment control ponds for treatment, monitoring, and
discharge into drainages of Lone Creek and stream 2003.
During a given year (within the first 10 years)f approxi-
mately 50 percent of the water pumped from the active mine
pit ultimately would be discharged into the Lone Creek
drainage. ht any time, however, discharges into either
creek, or both simultaneously, could occur depending upon
the active mining pit location.
2.3.4 Overburden Stockpile
At the start of operations, approximately 16.8 million
m3 (22 million yd^) of overburden from the box cut (exclud-
ing topsoil) would be excavated and permanently placed in an
overburden stockpile (Fig. 2-2). Because of an approximate
18 percent swell factor associated with the reclaimed over-
burden, the original surface contours could be duplicated
without use of the material in the permanent overburden
stockpile. This stockpile would be approximately 61 m (200
ft) high, 1,280 m (4,200 ft) long and 670 m (2,200 ft) wide
and would cover about 81 ha (200 ac) . No further material
would be added. The stockpile would be stabilized, graded
and then revegetated to prevent erosion. Runoff from the
stockpile would be handled in the same manner as described
above for the mine area using a treatment system consisting
of collection ditches and three sediment ponds (Fig. 2-4).
Topsoil from the box cut would be stockpiled in a separate
area.
2.3.5 Mine Service firea
The permanent mine service area would be located on the
southern edge of the mining limit (Fig. 2-2). The approxi-
mately 22 ha (55 ac) area would include the main administra-
tion building, a service building housing the principal
maintenance, warehouse and service facilities; equipment
ready lines? water, diesel fuel, gasoline and lubricant
storage; electrical substation; ambulance and fire station;
water and sewage treatment plants; emergency power system;
explosives magazine; heliport; and emergency and safety
facilities (Fig. 2-6). The area would not be fenced. No
one would be housed at the mine service area.
Coal from the primary crusher at the mine would enter
the mine service area by conveyor and pass through a
splitter-hopper* which would feed coal to either the second-
ary crusher (and thence by conveyor to the port) or to a
surge pile or an emergency storage pile in the service area.
The coal would not be washed or otherwise processed. The
two coal piles would have a combined capacity of approxi-
mately 45,360 Mt (50,000 short tons) and would serve to off-
set differences in conveyor capacities and compensate for
downtime in mining operations.
2-12
-------
4 '"^5^.
•14.^6^. >afc- ^X
?floor
43.000 T
ARTJST'S ILLUSTRATION
MINE SERVICE! AREA
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-6
-------
Runoff from the mine facilities area itself, including
any water used for dust control spraying, would be collected
by a ditch system and sent to two sediment ponds (Fig. 2-4)
for settling and treatment to meet water quality standards
before being released into* the stream 2003 drainage.
Sanitary waste water generated at the facility would be
treated in a packaged treatment plant at primary and second-
ary levels. Effluent would be carried in a pipeline buried
next to the road to the housing area where it would join the
treated effluent pipeline from the housing site and be
discharged into the Chuitna River directly south of the
housing site.
Nonorganic solid wastes would be deposited in fenced
and enclosed dumpsters located throughout the service area
and collected on a regular basis. A temporary fenced land-
fill near the mine site would be used for solid waste dispo-
sal only during construction, and would then be closed.
After that, these wastes would be trucked to a large, per-
manent, fenced disposal site in the vicinity of the mine.
Solid wastes would not be put into the mine pit itself.
Organic wastes would be deposited in separate fenced and
enclosed dumpsters within the service area and hauled to the
housing area organic waste incinerator. Hazardous wastes
would be handled completely separately and would be removed
from the project area entirely for disposal at an authorized
hazardous waste site.
2.4 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
2.4.1 Conveyor
If either the southern or eastern transportation corri-
dor is selected, an approximatley 17.6 km {11 mi) single-
span conventional continuous belt conveyor would transport
coal from the mine service area to a port on Cook Inlet
(Pigs. 2-7 and 2-8). The northern corridor would require an
approximately 22 km (13.8 mi) two-span conveyor (Fig. 2-9).
The southern corridor would have six minor stream crossings
(two unnamed tributaries to stream 2003 north of the Chuitna
River, Tyonek Creek, Old Tyonek Creek, and two unnamed tri-
butaries to Old Tyonek Creek) and one major stream crossing
(Chuitna River). The northern corridor would also cross six
small streams including two tributaries to stream 2003, Lone
Creek, two tributaries to Threemile Creek, and the Threemile
Creek mairtstem. The eastern corridor would cross 3-4
streams including two tributaries to stream 2003 and Lone
Creek.
The entire conveyor structure would be supported by a
horizontal steel pipe typically elevated about 0.6 m (2 ft)
above the ground surface on pedestal support piers spaced
approximately 6.1 m (20 ft) apart (Figs. 2-9 and 2-10). The
entire structure typically would be 2.9 m (9.6 ft) tall and
2-14
-------
Mine Conveyor
Mine
Service
Area
Lease Area
Overland
Conveyor
Cungabuna
Lake
Granite Point
Port Site
^ Buried Moose
Crossing
A Raised Road
V Crossing
1| Raised Drainage
"t| Crossing S 2.4m (8ft)
SS: Gravel Source
SOUTHERN CORRJDOR CONVEYOR AND HAUL ROAD LOCATIONS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-7
2-15
-------
MINE
SERVICE
AREA
Northern
Conveyor
Ladd
Port Site
LEGEND
G Gravel Sources
(locations
estimated)
EASTERN AND NORTHERN CONVEYOR AND
ACCESS/HAUL ROAD LOCATIONS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-8
-------
soi T&O w&4 ruae HOOD
(TOP flUO fMG S/OL- OM-Y
to
I
SOURCE: Diamond Alaska Coal Company
TYPICAL CONVEYOR MODULE
AND CROSS SECTION
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-9
-------
to
I
I--
00
fr-sa,TEiy
/ / we£>fn&*
/: I HOOD
ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION -
CONVEYOR SYSTEM DESIGN
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-10
-------
2.2 m (7.3 ft) wide. The coal-carrying belt would be a
minimum of 1.7 m (5.5 ft) above the ground and would be sup-
ported by heavy duty pipe yokes attached to the horizontal
steel pipe at 2 m (6.5 ft) intervals. The conveyor belt
would be 1.2 ra (48 in) wide and capable of moving about
1,633 Mt (1,800 short tons) of coal per hour. The conveyor
belt would be enclosed on top and one side with a
weatherhood to protect the coal from moisture and to reduce
coal dust emissions from wind. The open side would permit
access to the rollers for maintenance purposes. Wherever
the conveyor crosses streams, it would be partially enclosed
on the underside (underpanning) to prevent coal or dust from
entering the stream. If a conveyor were built across the
Chuitna River (southern corridor), it would be totally
enclosed and suspended about 52 m (170 ft) above the river
by cables (Fig, 2-9).
To permit moose, bears, and people to cross the con-
veyor, at appropriate locations it would be buried for a
minimum of 61 m (200 ft) in large diameter culverts or arch
spans (Fig. 2-10). At other locations, e.g., stream
crossings, the conveyor would be elevated a minimum of 2.4 m
(8 ft) above ground level. There would also be places where
the conveyor would be raised to permit existing roads to
pass underneath (Fig. 2-7). The conveyor would be gradually
elevated to a clearance of 9.4 m (30 ft) at these road
crossings, taking about 61 m (200 ft) on each side of the
road to rise to that height from its normal elevation. In
combination along any corridor, the maximum distance between
crossings (underpass or overpass) would be approximately
2,000 m (2,187 yd), with an average center-to-center
distance between crossings of approximately 880 m (962 yd).
While the specific locations for the conveyor crossings
have been identified for the southern corridor (Fig. 2-7),
data are not available to permit such specificity for the
northern and eastern corridors. Such crossings would be
identified, as data become available, within the maximum
distance criteria set out above.
A light duty, minimally improved 3.7 m (12 ft) service/
access road suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles would be
built immediately adjacent to the conveyor for maintenance
purposes. It would be separated from the substantially
improved access haul road primarily for safety reasons (to
reduce risk of vehicle/conveyor collisions)-. The separation
would also provide a greenbelt between the more heavily tra-
veled access/haul road and the conveyor to increase ease of
big game movements across the corridor. Drainage and sedi-
ment control measures for the conveyor would be the same as
those described below for the main access/haul road. Brush
within the conveyor right-of-way would be mechanically
controlledj no herbicides would be used.
2-19
-------
2.4.2 Access/Haul Road
A private, all-weather access/haul road would be con-
structed that would generally parallel the conveyor
(Figs. 2-7 and 2-8). The road would be gravel surfaced,
crowned to promote drainage, and would have two 10.7 m (35
ft) wide traffic lanes with 3.7 m (12 ft) wide gravel
shoulders on each side (Fig. 2-11). Grades would be main-
tained at a maximum of 6 percent.
Over most of its length, the road would be separated
from the conveyor by approximately 61 m (200 ft). At river
crossings or other natural features, the road would have an
independent alignment to maintain grade.
Drainage and sediment control measures would include:
(1) construction of ditches to divert runoff from undisturbed
areas around operational areas; (2) construction of collec-
tion ditches; (3) installation of culverts under roads to
collect and control runoff from road surfaces, embankments,
and adjacent areas; (4) surfacing of main roads and facility
areas with gravel material; (5) revegetation of road cuts,
embankments and other disturbed areas as soon as possible
after construction; and (6) use of specific localized sedi-
ment control measures in sensitive areas. In sensitive
areas such as those adjacent to stream channels, localized
sediment control measures would include ditches with rock
filter dams, gradient terraces with dugout filter ponds,
rock drainage-ways, placement of sediment filter fabric, and
use of straw or vegetative sediment filters.
2.5 PORT FACILITIES
2.5.1 Onshore Port Facilities
The onshore port facilities at either Ladd or Granite
Point would ultimately be capable of accommodating an annual
capacity of 10.9 million Mt (12 million short tons) of coal
(Fig. 2-1). Either onshore site would occupy approximately
121 ha (300 ac) on the bluff above Cook Inlet. The site
would be connected to a supply barge staging area at
tidewater about 30 m (100 ft) below the bluff by a 7.3 m (24
ft) wide beach access road. Figure 2-12 is an artist's
illustration of the port facilities if built at Granite
Point. A facility at Ladd would be similar.
Major facilities at the onshore site would include a
large service building, coal transfer station, sampling
building (to sample coal heating value, moisture, ash and
sulphur content), main electrical and control building, fire
and ambulance building, electrical substation, water storage
and treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, diesel fuel and
gasoline storage and distribution area, and a heliport. The
site would be fenced to minimize human/wildlife encounters.
No one would be housed at the port site during project
operations.
2-20
-------
1 t/2l_
GEOTECHNICAL 1
FABRIC -
IF NECESSARY
EXISTING
GRADE
24" CLASSIFIED
FILL
CUT SECTION
GEOTECHNICAL
FABRIC -
IF NECESSARY
24"CLASSIFIED FILL
g.X'STING GRADE
REMOVE ORGANIC MATERIAL
COMPACTED SELECT
MATERIAL
FILL SECTION
ROAD SURFACE
ORIGINAL GROUND
STEEL PLATE GIRDER .,'Q.
MIN
I .,
CHUITNA RIVER CHANNEL
SOURCE: DIAMOND ALASKA COAL CO.
U>
I <— WING WALL
*- ABUTMENT
TYPICAL HAUL ROAD AND BRIDGE DESIGN
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-11
2-21
-------
2-22
-------
Coal would enter the onshore port facility on the
overland conveyor and be transferred to one of the two 1.8 m
(72 in) yard conveyors. It would then be sent directly to
the shiploader on the approach trestle if a barge or ship
were being loaded. If loading were not in progress, coal
would be stored in two large parallel stockpiles on either
side of the conveyor (Fig, 2-12). The amount of coal stored
at the port site would vary depending upon shipping sched-
ules, marine weather conditions, and downtime in mining
operations. At full production, up to 1.1 million Mt (1,2
million short tons) of coal could be stored, but a minimum
of 90,720 Mt (100,000 short tons) always would be stock-
piled. A 30 to 45 day turnover of coal in the stockpiles
would be anticipated. Tests on the spontaneous combustion
potential of the coal indicated no susceptibility to firing
while exposed to the atmosphere. The coal piles would be
unlined and would sit upon a gravel fill pad. Alignment of
the piles would be approximately north-south at Granite
Point to minimize contact with the prevailing winds.
Alignment at Ladd has not yet been determined. The maximum
dimensions of these stockpiles would be approximately 945 m
(3,100 ft) by 61 m (200 ft) by 15 m (50 ft) high. During
barge- or shiploading, coal would be taken from these stock-
piles and placed on the conveyors to the approach trestle.
Coal would be transferred from the conveyor to the
stockpiles, or taken from the stockpiles and placed onto the
conveyor, by two large railmounted stacker-reclaimer units
which would move parallel to the conveyor (Fig. 2-11).
These machines would have a bucketwheel at the end of their
booms which would be able to break through a frozen crust of
coal up to 0.6 m (2 ft) thick when reclaiming coal for
shiploading.
A packaged commercial sewage treatment plant would be
used to treat all sewage generated at the port facility.
Following treatment to meet applicable standards, the efflu-
ent would be carried by pipeline along the elevated trestle
and discharged into Cook Inlet at Granite Point or dis-
charged into an onsite leach field at Ladd.
Nonorganic solid wastes would be deposited in fenced
and enclosed dumpsters located throughout the port facility
and collected on a regular basis. Initially, these wastes
would be hauled to a temporary fenced landfill near the mine
site which would be closed following completion of construc-
tion. For the first five to ten years of project operation,
these wastes would be buried in a fenced landfill near the
port facility. After that, the wastes would be hauled to
the large permanent landfill in the vicinity of the mine.
Solid wastes would not be put into the mine pit itself.
Organic wastes would be deposited in separate fenced and
enclosed dumpsters within the port facility and hauled to
the housing area organic waste incinerator. Hazardous
wastes would be handled completely separately and would be
2-23
-------
removed from the project area entirely for disposal at an
authorized hazardous waste site.
Drainage and sediment control would be accomplished by
drainage ditches which would collect all surface runoff from
the disturbed area of the port site and divert it into sedi-
ment ponds. This would include storm runoff and water
sprayed on coal stockpiles for dust control. Treatment
methods would vary depending upon the water quality of the
runoff. Following treatment, the water would be carried by
pipeline on the approach trestle for discharge directly into
Cook Inlet. All discharges would meet state and federal
water quality standards (see the draft NPDES permit -
Appendix D). The drainage and treatment system would be
designed to accommodate volumes from the 10-year, 24-hour
precipitation event. Likewise, all culverts and diversion
ditches would be designed to contain the peak flow from a
10-year, 24-hour event.
2.5.2 Offshore Port Facilities
If full production is anticipated, a port could be
developed at either Granite Point or Ladd. At either loca-
tion, a trestle could be built to the deep water needed for
accommodation of large coal ships. For less than full pro-
duction, coal would be loaded onto ocean-going barges.
Barges can operate in shallower waters than can the coal
ships. Appropriate depths can be reached substantially
closer to shore at Ladd than at Granite Point? therefore, if
bargeloading only is required, a port would be developed at
Ladd.
Offshore facilities for either port location would con-
sist of an approach trestle with ship breasting and mooring
dolphins (Fig. 2-12). The trestle length at Granite Point
would be either 2,277 m (7,470 ft) or 3,810 ra (12,500 ft)
depending on the size of the ships which would be used.
Approximately 287 m (940 ft) of either trestle would be
upland of the mean high tide line, thus reducing the length
of the trestle extending into the inlet. The trestle would
be 7.9 m (26 ft) wide, 9.1 m (30 ft) high and supported by
single piles up to 3.7 m (12 ft) in diameter. The piles
would be approximately 122 m (400 ft) apart and the trestle
would be a minimum of 6.1 m (20 ft) vertically above the
water at mean higher high water (MHHW). The structure would
be designed to withstand the greater than 9.1 m (30 ft)
tides, 3.6 m/s (7 knot) currents and 1.1 in (42 in) thick ice
floes of upper Cook Inlet. One of the mooring dolphins
would support a helipad.
At Granite Point, smaller "Panamax class" vessels
(54,432 to 72,576 Mt [60,000 to 80,000 dwt]) with drafts of
11.9 m (39 ft) capable of passing through the Panama Canal
could be loaded at the shorter trestle with a berthing depth
2-24
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of1 14 m (45 ft) at mean lower low water (MLLW). Larger
vessels up to 108,864 Mt (120,000 dwt) would require the
longer trestle with a berthing depth of between 15.2 and
18.2 m (50 and 60 ft).
At Ladd, to accommodate lower production levels, the
9,072 to 13,609 Mt (10,000 to 15,000 dwt) barges would
require a trestle of approximately 168 m {550 ft) in length
to reach a berthing depth of 1.2 m (4 ft) at MLLW. This
would require tidally controlled berthing where barges would
be moved into the dock, loaded and then moved away to take
advantage of water depths at higher tide levels. At full
production, the trestle would be approximately 3,505 m
(11,500 ft) long to load large ships at a berthing depth up
to 18.2 m (60 ft). The trestle specifications would be the
same as described above for Granite Point.
Coal would be transported from the onshore port to a
linear shiploader facility at the end of the approach
trestle on two covered conveyors each 1.8 m (72 in) wide
(Fig. 2-13). At full production, the shiploader would have
an effective loading rate of 3,629 to 4,536 Mt (4,000 to
5,000 short tons) per hour. It would have a boom capable of
swinging to reach all compartments of a coal barge or ship,
with the spout being lowered into the hold to reduce dust
generation. The trestle conveyors would be paralleled by a
1.5 m (5 ft) wide walkway that would be used to transport
operating and maintenance personnel and equipment. Coal
could be loaded 24 hours per day throughout the year,
affected only by weather and ice conditions in Cook Inlet.
The trestle would not be used for receiving supplies
for the project. Freight, bulk materials, small quantities
of* certain fuels and other supplies would be brought in by
barge, unloaded at the barge staging area on the beach, and
trucked up the beach access road (Fig. 2-12) to the onshore
port facility, housing site or the mine area as required.
Major quantities of diesel fuel and gasoline would arrive by
tanker and be pumped through a pipeline supported by the
elevated trestle to the onshore port facility. Fuel would
be stored in tanks at the onshore port site (which would
hold a four-month supply) and be trucked by tractor/trailer
units to the housing site or mine area as required (see
Sect. 2.10.3). When ice conditions prohibited use of
barges, food and miscellaneous supplies would be transported
to the project area by aircraft.
2.6 HOUSING AND AIRPORT FACILITIES
2.6.1 Housing
The workforce would be housed in permanent single-
status housing and community facilities on an 8 ha (20 ac)
site. The entire housing area would be fenced to minimize
human/animal contacts. Full production facilities would
2-25
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2"*
I
Ni
ON
6'Q - 12'0
PILE
FRONT VIEW
RIGHT VIEW
SOURCE: Diamond Alaska Coal Company
TRESTLE AND PIER DESIGN
Diamond Chultna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-13
-------
consist of four buildings with 102 units and two buildings
with 66 units connected by all-weather corridors. Other
facilities would include a dining hall/administration
building, recreation center, laundry, medical facilities,
security and fire services, and a maintenance building
(Pig, 2-14). The facilities would be operated on the
"motel" concept with employees checking into available rooms
for their four-day stay at the project site. There would be
no town at the housing site. The facilities would be
designed for the actual number of employees on site (424)
with a 27 percent contingency for weather conditions for a
total of 540 beds. No employee-owned firearms or alcohol
would be allowed at the housing facilities.
Water would be obtained from a series of ground-water
wells with a storage capacity of approximately 302,800 1
(80,000 gal) at the site. A packaged commercial sewage
treatment plant with a capacity of approximately 189,270 1
(50,000 gal) per day would handle sanitary and other
drainage from the housing complex. Treatment would be at
primary and secondary levels. Effluent from the Lone Creek
housing area would be carried in a pipeline and discharged
into the Chuitna River directly south of the housing site.
Effluent discharge from the Threemile and Congahbuna housing
sites has not been designed but would conform to state and
federal regulations. The sludge effluent generated from
treatment plants at any housing site would be hauled to the
mine pit for burial.
Disposal of all wastes would be in approved sites.
Nonorganic solid wastes would be deposited in fenced and
enclosed dumpsters located throughout the housing area and
collected on a regular basis. Initially, these wastes would
be hauled to a temporary fenced landfill near the mine site
which would be closed following completion of construction.
For the first five to ten years of project operation, these
wastes would be buried in a fenced landfill near the housing
area. After that, the wastes would be hauled to the large
permanent landfill in the vicinity of the mine. Solid
wastes would not be put into the mine pit itself. Organic
wastes would be deposited in separate fenced and enclosed
dumpsters within the housing area and burned in a nearby
incinerator. Hazardous wastes would be handled completely
separately and would be removed from the project area
entirely for disposal at an authorized hazardous waste site.
Drainage and sediment control would be handled by a
ditch collecting system which would surround the facility
and collect surface runoff and carry it to two sediment
ponds for treatment and release to existing drainages.
Treatment methods would be the same as for the mine service
area and port site facilities, and water quality standards
would be met before discharge.
2-27
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ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION -
HOUSING AND AIRSTRIP FACILITIES
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-14
-------
2.6.2 Airstrip
A private gravel landing strip would be located close
to the housing facility (Fig. 2-2). The main runway, 1,524
ra (5,000 ft) long and 30 m (100 ft) wide, would be oriented
in a north-south direction with a smaller 914 m (3,000 ft)
east-west runway. The airstrip would have navigation
lights, but would not be capable of handling instrument
approaches in bad weather. A small terminal building and a
maintenance building would be located at the site. Water
requirements would be small and water would be hauled to the
terminal building by truck. Chemical toilets would be used
with sewage being hauled and dumped into the housing facili-
ties' treatment plant. Gray water from the terminal would
be treated to meet water quality standards and then released
into the airstrip's drainage system which would discharge to
existing drainages. There would be no sediment ponds.
Solid wastes would be kept in an enclosed, fenced dumpster
which would be regularly emptied and disposed of in the same
manner as that for the housing area.
2.7 POWER GENERATION
Estimated average-load electrical power demands for the
project at full operation would be approximately 35 Mw, with
a maximum demand of 50 Mw. Power would be purchased from
the existing Chugach Electric Association natural gas power
station at Beluga (Fig. 2-1) and transported to the project
site by a 69 kv line on wooden poles. If the Granite Point
port site were selected, the powerline would follow the
existing powerline right-of-way running from the power plant
to the oil tank farm about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) west of the pro-
posed Granite Point port site (Fig. 2-15. This existing
right-of-way would not have to be widened and would connect
with a wooden pole transmission line within the transporta-
tion corridor between the port site and the mine.
If the Ladd port site were selected, the powerline
would follow the existing right-of-way until it intersected
the transportation corridor where it would split to provide
power to both the port site and the mine.
2.8 RECLAMATION PLAN
The discussion below summarizes the major aspects of
the proposed reclamation plan. References are given to the
location of more detailed information in the state surface
mine permit application (Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985).
2.8.1 Mine Pit
The reclamation plan for the mine area would have
short-term as well as long-term goals. The short-term goal
would be the immediate stabilization of the disturbed site
through control of erosion and sedimentation. The long-term
2-29
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goals would be to: 1) establish wildlife habitat that would
be at least as useful and productive as the premining envi-
ronment; and 2) create an aesthetically acceptable site that
blends with the surrounding terrain and vegetation. These
goals would be met using the methods described below.
During the initial 10 years of operation, a total area
of approximately 583 ha (1,440 ac) would be mined.
Reclamation of disturbed sites would begin during the second
year of mining (year five of the permit) and would follow,
but not interrupt, mining annually until all acreage
disturbed by mining and associated activities is reclaimed.
No disturbed acreage would be unclaimed.
During the first year of reclamation, 1 ha (3 ac) would
be reclaimed. During the next five years, 51 ha (125 ac),
56 ha (139 ac), 143 ha (354 ac), 61 ha (151 ac) and 75 ha
(186 ac) would be reclaimed, respectively, for a total of
387 ha (958 ac) reclaimed after six years of mining. More
detailed information may be found in Vol. XVI, Sec. 4.08, of
the permit application.
2.8.1.1 Backfilling and Grading
After the initial box cuts have opened the pits for
mining operations, the overburden and interburden material
from the active mine areas would be backfilled by draglines
and truck and shovel operations into the mined out areas
(Fig. 2-3). Grading and stabilization then would be done by
bulldozers and graders. The final topography would match
the premining contours as closely as possible and would not
exceed original slope grades. 'Slopes would be designed to
minimize erosion and maintain adequate water retention for
vegetative growth. Gradient terraces would be used to
control sheet runoff.
Postmining surface drainage channels would be located
to minimize erosion and slumping. ^Major reconstructed sur-
face drainage channels would be lined with riprap* material
as necessary to limit bank erosion and scour. The drainages
would be reconstructed with gradients, meanders, and habi-
tats similar to premining drainages to provide habitat for
anadromous fish species.
No exposed coal seams would be left on the reclaimed
surfaces. A minimum of 1.2 m (4 ft) of nontoxic and noncom-
bustible spoil material would be used to cover any exposed
seams that remained after mining. Any soil which does not
meet the applicant's standards for revegetation also would
be covered with a minimum of 1.2 m (4 ft) of nontoxic and
noncombustible spoil material. No known acid-forming or
toxin-forming spoil materials are present at the mine site
and, therefore, no special handling techniques for these
types of materials are anticipated.
2-30
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2.8.1.2 Topsoil Handling Plan
Suitable topsoil material would be recovered from areas
to be affected by mining and related operations prior to
disturbance. The recovered topsoil would be either stock-
piled for later use or redistributed directly on backfilled
and graded areas. When possible, the topsoil would be imme-
diately redistributed in preference to stockpiling. Topsoil
removal, stockpiling, and replacement would be scheduled to
coincide with the overall mining sequence.
Stockpiles would be designed to minimize wind and water
erosion, and topsoil would not be disturbed or rehandled
after stabilization unless the soil were to be redistributed
on a graded surface. Unnecessary compaction and contamina-
tion of stockpiles would be eliminated and they would be
protected from waste disposal, construction, and other such
disturbances to maintain integrity. All stockpiles would be
located within the mining limit and would be as small as
possible.
Planting specifications to control stockpile erosion
would differ depending on the life of the stockpile.
Stockpiles remaining in place less than 30 days during the
growing season would not be revegetated but would be left in
roughened condition to retard erosion. Stockpiles remaining
in place longer than 30 days during the growing season, but
less than one calendar year, would be seeded with an annual
seed mixture. Stockpiles to remain in place over one
growing season and into or through additional growing
seasons would be seeded with a permanent grass mixture and
mulched.
Topsoil would be redistributed in a manner and at such
time that: (1) achieves an average soil thickness of 15.2 cm
(6 in) consistent with the revegetation goals, contours, and
surface drainage systems; (2) minimizes compaction, contami-
nation, and erosion? (33 conserves soil moisture and pro-
motes revegetation? and (4) minimizes deterioration of the
biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil.
Following replacement and final grading of topsoil, but
before seeding, a sampling plan would be implemented to
evaluate the preparation of backfill and seedbed materials.
This plan would include analysis of samples by a designated
analytical laboratory.
Peat would be salvaged in advance of mining operations
for recreating peat-filled wetland habitats on regraded
soils. To the extent possible, stockpiling of peat would be
avoided and no long-term (greater than 30 days) stockpiles
would be established. Temporary peat stockpiles would
remain isolated from topsoil stockpiles and would not be
sited in drainage ways. More detailed information may be
found on Vol. XVI, Sec. 4.10, of the permit application.
2-31
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2.8.1.3 Revegetation
To determine which plant species would be used for
revegetation, certain criteria were established:
0 Native species would be used wherever possible.
0 Seed mixtures and planting rates would reflect
consideration of the relationship between her-
baceous species and woody species in terms of com-
petition for soil moisture, nutrients, and
sunlight. For example, heavy seeding rates of
vigorous, introduced grass species were considered
inadvisable because of undesirable competition
with wood species.
0 Wildlife value would be a prime consideration in
the selection of plant species and development of
.seeding and planting rates.
With the above goals in mind, preliminary seed mixtures
and stocking selections were developed based on species
characteristics, potential success, commercial availability,
and availability of seed or cuttings stock on or near the
permit area.
As soon as practicable after a disturbed area is
returned to the proper contour and grade, topsoil would be
spread and the site would be stabilized. Erosion and sedi-
mentation would be minimized by construction of sediment
control and retention structures, proper seedbed prepara-
tion, fertilization, and planting of rapidly establishing
species. The "longer-term goals of establishing productive
wildlife habitat would be accomplished through additional
planting of seedlings and cuttings of woody species.
Sediment ponds and associated diversion ditches would
be • removed at the completion of mining when" the' upstream
drainage areas are stabilized, revegetation standards met,
and acceptable water quality attained. Prior to regrading,
ponds would be dewatered and the sediment material tested
for toxicity. If unsuitable for use in the revegetation
program, the material would be removed and buried under 1.2
m (4 ft) of nontoxic fill. Sediments should be stable in
the landfill. No additional undue leaching should occur.
Remaining ponds and associated drainage ditches would then
be backfilled, graded, and revegetated. More detailed
information may be found in Vol. XVI, Sec. 4.11 of the per-
mit application.
2.8.2 OverburdenStockpile
The size, shape, and slope of the overburden stockpile
would be such that stability would be assured once vegeta-
tion had been established. Though the topography of the
-------
stockpile would differ from the surface of the mined areas,
slope angles would permit the use of agricultural equipment.
Thus, the techniques described above for the mine area would
also be used on the stockpile. Once a portion of the sur-
face is no longer disturbed by stockpiling activities, reve-
getation would be completed during the next planting season
using the same procedures described in Section 2.8.1.3.
2.8.3 Mine ServiceArea
All steel and fabricated buildings would be dismantled
and removed for salvage. Structures and equipment of no
salvage value would be buried in the mine pit. Other com-
ponents, including concrete footings, slabs, and foundations
would be removed at ground level before being buried in the
pit. Gravel pad and road surfacing materials and all coal
debris would also be disposed of in the mine pit.
Sedimentation ponds and associated drainage ditches would be
reclaimed as described for the mine pit area.
Once cleared, all excavations at the site would be
filled and the site graded to the approved postmining topog-
raphy. Areas exhibiting compaction detrimental to plant
establishment would be ripped. Revegetation would be done
in the same manner as described for the mine pit area.
2.8.4 Transportation Corridor
Any transportation facilities which could not be bene-
ficially used for other purposes would be dismantled and
salvaged. Any facilities not salvaged would be removed,
foundation structures broken up, and the resulting rubble
buried in an approved landfill. Disturbance to the land
under the conveyor would be limited to a denuding of the
ground surface where poles and conveyor braces had been
located. These disturbed areas would be revegetated where
more than 50 percent of the predisturbance vegetative cover
is eliminated.
If the main haul road were not left intact for other
users, road surfacing and culvert materials would be removed
and buried in an approved landfill. The road bed would be
ripped to relieve compaction and the roadbed and embank-
ments would be graded to blend with adjacent undisturbed
terrain. Temporary drainage features would be built to
control runoff and erosion until revegetation of regraded
areas occurs.
2.8.5 Port Site
Structures which would serve a useful purpose for con-
tinued activities would be left in place. The trestle might
serve future coal mining or other mineral or natural
resource development operations in the region. The facili-
ties might also provide a source of revenue for other future.
2-33
-------
businesses. In any event, all facilities which would not be
retained for other beneficial uses would be appropriately
reclaimed and the disturbed areas revegetated in the same
manner as described above for the mine service area facili-
ties. Instead of using the mine pit, any burial would take
place in approved landfills.
2.8.6 Housing Area and Airstrip
All improvements would be dismantled and removed for
salvage value. Foundations, roads, gravel pads, etc., would
be appropriately reclaimed and the disturbed area revege-
tated as described above for the mine service area facili-
ties. If the State did not want the airstrip to remain
usable, it would be reclaimed and revegetated also.
2.9 FISH MITIGATION PLAN
The applicant has proposed several mitigation measures
for the protection of fish resources during development and
operation of the mine itself. These include construction
and operational procedures, monitoring studies, and a
restoration plan. Table 2-1 outlines the major proposed
fish mitigation measures and associated monitoring programs.
More detailed information may be found in Vol. XV, Sec.
4.07.1 of the permit application.
2.10 CONSTRUCTION
2.10.1 Schedule and Sequence
Once project construction is begun, it would take
approximately three years to complete. Most construction
would take" place each year during the May through October
period.
2.10.1.1 First Year
The first step would be establishment of a barge
staging area at the base of the bluff below the port site
(Fig. 2-12) and construction of a road up the bluff to the
onshore port facilities site. The onshore port site would
serve as the main construction camp and would have housing
and dining facilities, construction offices, fuel tanks,
sewage treatment plant, and temporary equipment service,
repair and warehousing facilities. Vegetation clearing and
grubbing would begin at the port site in preparation for the
major civil work to be completed in the second year.
Because of its importance in development of the pro-
ject, construction of the mine access/haul road would begin
as soon as the initial facilities were established at the
port site. Regardless of which port site were chosen, road
construction equipment would be landed at the existing Ladd
2-34
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TftBIJB 2-1
MUOR PROPOSED FISH MITIGATION MEASURES AND mNITORINS PBOQ»«S DURING FIRCT TEN YEARS OF PROJECT
IMPSCT
MTriGKFICW
KWHORING
1)
Increased sedimentation
due to mining
2)
Habitat loss due to mining
in streams
NJ
1
OJ
4)
Habitat loss due to altered
flows in streams
Increased sedimentation
and habitat alteration
due bo conveyor system
and road crossing water-
shed 2003
A - Construct settling ponds designed to
catch mine dewatering until sediment
settles out.
B - Wienever possible, minimize use of
construction and mining in streams
other than those designated for
mining.
C — Prior to the construction of settling
ponds, no mining in streams would occur
during spawning periods of salmon species
potentially using the mainstan section of
watershed 2003.
ft - Rebuild sections of tributaries 200304
and 200305 to approximate premining
conditions as much as possible.
B - Revegetate mined areas to minimize
increased erosion rates and loss of
overhanging vegetation in vicinity
of streams.
ft - Return water form sediment ponds into
lower sections of tributary 200305 and
200304 and mainstem portions of water-
sheds 2003 and 2002.
A - Staging areas for stream crossings
would be located outside of riparian
zone to minimize amount of sediment
entering stream and reduce disturbance
to riparian vegetation and aquatic
habitats.
B - h maximum HOW of JO m {100 ft) would
be used at the stream crossing to reduce
di sturbance.
NPDES permit compliance.
Brwiroiinental coordinator would
periodically check construction
and mining areas for compliance.
Environmental coordinator would
monitor construction activities
to ensure compliance.
Conduct fish habitat characteriza-
tion studies once after restoration
in order to determine value of
streams in terms of potential fish
use.
Environmental coordinator would
monitor revegetation efforts to
determine program effectiveness.
Conduct an instream flow survey
at stream location(s) exhibiting
potential significant losses of
salmon habitat. Survey would be
conducted once after mined stream
segments were restored.
Bivirontnental coordinator would
inspect stream crossing activity
for compliance.
environmental coordinator would
inspect design plans and construc-
tion activities.
-------
PBOPQSH) FISH
TABLE 2-1
(ASSURES AND nwnoRiNGi PROGRAMS OURINS FIRST TEN YEARS OF PROJSCT
(ccntinued)
MITIGATION
MWITQRING
K)
I
U)
S) Alter water quality
due to mine dewatering
and relase of water
from settling ponds.
6) Fuel or lubricant spills
C - Construction methods would employ latest
state-of-the-rart techniques. (Examples
of bank and stream bottom protection
measures would include riprapping,
upland storage of excavated riverbed
materials, importing clean backfill,
backfilling with previously excavated
riverbed materials, and revegetation.
D - Poad crossing would be constructed and
maintained to prevent obstructions to
movements of adult and juvenile salmon.
S - Construction activities would be scheduled
to avoid spawning periods of salmon if
possible.
A - WDffi permit compliance.
A - Fueling and lubrication of equipment would
not occur within approximately 201 a {660 ft)
of streams. Equipment would be properly
maintained and checked for leaks periodically.
Spills would be reported immediately to the
environmental coordinator.
Environmental coordinator would
review proposed construction methods
and make suggestions on bank and
stream bottom protection measures at
each crossing. After construction,
the coordinator would inspect con-
dition of stream bank and bottcm
substrate and other fish habitat
characteristics at an inmediately
downstream of the proposed crossing.
Bwironmental coordinator would
inspect construction activities and
irake observations during different
flow regimes.
Environmental coordinator would
review construction timing plans and
inspect construction activities.
WOES permit exupliance.
Environmental coordinator would
approve fueling locations and routi-
nely check for compliance. Affected
streams would be inmediately sur-
veyed for fish kills following a
spill.
-------
beach barge site and transported over the existing Ladd road
to the mine area so road construction could be simultane-
ously carried out from both ends. Completion of the road
would take about 18 months.
Clearing, grubbing, site grading, and electrical dis-
tribution networking would be completed at the housing faci-
lities site, and the dining hall, recreation center and
about one-fourth of the housing units would be constructed.
The airstrip would also be constructed and made operational.
2.10.1.2 Second Year
The major civil and building construction work would be
completed at the onshore port site. Pilings for the
offshore elevated trestle would be driven and the conveyors
at the onshore port site would be built. The mine access
haul road would be completed and additional housing units,
the boiler plant and communication facilities would be
constructed at the housing area.
At the mine service area, most civil work would be done
and the electrical system completed. Limited building
construction would be initiated. Construction of the water
control and treatment facilities for the whole mine area
would also begin.
2.10.1.3 Third Year
The offshore trestle would be assembled on the pilings
and the shiploader erected. The stacker-reclaimer would be
erected at the onshore port site and the remainder of the
housing units would be completed.
t
At the mine service area, facilities construction would
be completed. Clearing and grubbing would begin at the mine
site with initial stripping of overburden beginning late in
the third year or early in the fourth.
2.10.2 Construction Employment
The estimated number of workers to be employed during
construction is shown in Figure 2-15. Construction employ-
ment would gradually increase to approximately 430 at the
end of the first year, then rise quickly to a peak of about
1,300 workers in October and November of the second year.
Employment would then decrease quickly to approximately 750
between March and July of the third year. By the end of the
third year, construction employment would drop to well below
100 when production would begin.
2-37
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ro
I
u>
CO
a
Hi
>
O
_i
CL
2
in
CL
LJJ
m
5
FIRST YEAR
JlFlMlAlMlJlJlAlSlOlNlD
JiFlMlAlMlJlJiA SONID
jlFMAMTJ J AISON D
NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED, BY MONTH,
DURING PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-15
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2.10.3 Construction Methods
2.10,3.1 Facilities Sites
Construction methods for the three major facilities
sites (the mine service area, onshore port site, and the
housing area and airstrip) would be similar. Prior to
actual construction, access roads to each facility would be
installed. In general, fabrication of most facilities would
be completed at factory locations with the modules being
shipped by barge to the port for offloading, transportation
to the site, assembling, and erection.
Site work would begin at each facility with clearing
and grubbing of all trees and brush. This material would be
put into windrows for burning, if conditions allowed, or
buried under an adequate depth of spoil in the mine pit if
burning were not possible. Areas with peat or muskeg
deposits would be drained by ditches to facilitate removal.
The peat would be hauled to a nearby disposal site which
would be revegetated after it had served its purpose.
Diversion ditches and sediment ponds would be constructed
around the perimeter of the facilities to control and treat
water runoff. Ditch sizes and sedimentation control methods
would be similar to those described below for the haul road.
After the facility sites were "final" graded, the modules
would be trucked to the sites and actual construction of the
buildings and other facilities would begin.
All subgrade and final grade gravel material, including
that used for construction of the conveyor and haul road,
would come from the areas shown in Figure 2-16, if the
southern corridor is utilized. Probable gravel sites along
the northern corridor are Indicated in Figure 2-8. Gravel
sites for use along the eastern corridor have not been
investigated. Approximately 3.82 million m3 (5 million
yd3) of borrow* material would be used for all project faci-
lities. Of this total, approximately 458,760 nH (600,000
yd3) would be gravel and 3,058 m3 (4,000 yd) would be
riprap or armor rock. The remainder would be any suitable
fill material.
The material sources would be accessed by two-lane
gravel roads suitable for heavy equipment. They would be
located to maximize use of the existing logging and oil
exploration road systems in the project area. Prior to any
activity at the material sites, small diversion ditches, and
berms would be constructed around the perimeter to divert
surface runoff away from the area. Vegetation within the
material pit boundaries would be cleared and disposed of in
the same manner as described above for the facility sites.
All surface material would then be removed and stockpiled in
a suitable nearby location. Erosion control measures,
including temporary seeding, would be used as appropriate to
stabilize the stockpiles.
2-39
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Felt Lake
Denslow Lake
MINE
SERVICE
AREA
Congahbuna
Lake
Existing
—— Haul Road
Material Access Road
S$E£fj$ Gravel Source
V
Tyonek Native Corp. Area
PORT
SITE
SOURCE:
Diamond Alaska Coal Company,
Granite Point
GRAVEL SOURCE LOCATIONS, SOUTHERN CORRIDOR
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 2-16
2-40
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In wet areas, sumps would be constructed at a low point
on the pit bottom to collect water. Some small-scale
blasting may be required to establish these drainage sumps.
Small submersible pumps would be used to remove the water
for discharge to the surface drainage system. Sediment
fences, fabric filters, and straw bale dikes would be used
as needed to remove sediment from the pumped water as well
as to control sediment in and around the pit.
A tracked-dozer would be used to rip material and a
front-end loader would feed it into a crusher hopper. The
crushed material would be screened and stockpiled by size in
the pit area prior to being hauled by scrapers or rear-dump
trucks to use areas. During construction of the project
facilities, the crushing and screening operation would be
continuous. Following construction, the operation would
occur on an intermittent basis.
When a material source is exhausted or when operation
is impractical due to low demand or haulage distance, an
area would be reclaimed to a condition compatible with, and
similar to, the surrounding terrain. The pit would be
backsloped either through placement of the stockpiled over-
burden material or through ripping and dozing to provide a
stable slope to minimize erosion and blend with surrounding
terrain. Suitable surface material would be replaced in a
uniform thickness over the disturbed area and erosion
control measures would be taken including contour furrowing,
terracing, and construction.of rock drains. The entire area
would then be revegetated using a suitable seed mix of indi-
genous and introduced species.
No dredging or filling would be necessary for either
the trestle or berthing offshor'e port facilities. Each
monopile would be driven with hammers to a predetermined
depth in the inlet floor for support of the approach
trestle, shiploader and berthing dolphins. Structural steel
trusses would then be placed on top of the monopiles with
barge-mounted cranes to serve as the platform to support the
conveyors and shiploading equipment.
2.10.3.2 Conveyor and Access/Haul Road
Conveyor construction would occur in two phases. In
the first phase, clearing and grubbing work would remove all
vegetation from the approximately 10.7 m (35 ft) right-of-
way for windrowing and burning under permits from DNR and
DEC. Then, only limited cut and fill operations would be
necessary since generally both the conveyor and its adjacent
service road would follow the natural terrain. The rigidity
of the conveyor structure and the inherent design flexi-
bility would allow localized topographic features such as
small drainage channels to be effectively bridged. Upon
completion of site preparation work, the conveyor support
piers would be placed. In phase two, mobile cranes would
2-41
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lift prefabricated conveyor framework sections into place
for attachment to the support piers.
Construction of the access/haul road would require some
cut and fill operations which would occur simultaneously
with placement of culverts. Where the road would cross a
surface drainage channel, culverts designed to pass the peak
discharge from a 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event, with
no ponding on the upstream end, would be used. All culverts
would be placed on suitable bedding material and appropriate
riprap material would be incorporated at the inlet and
outlet to minimize erosion. "Trash rack" structures would
be installed at culvert inlets to prevent clogging due to
debris.
In areas where adverse surface conditions exist for
building roads (e.g., muskegs), a special construction tech-
nique would be used which would effectively "float" the road
on the less competent underlying material. In this method,
a flotation material, typically wood chips or logs, is
placed directly on top of the undisturbed surface vegetative
mat. A layer of minimally compacted fill material is then
laid down followed by a geotechnical fabric which would pro-
vide lateral stability, distribute bearing loads over a
large area, and allow drainage through the road base.
Normal construction methods would then follow until the
designed grade was achieved.
Permanent bridges would be of truss and girder
construction supported by concrete piers (Fig. 2-11).
Construction would be timed to minimize impacts upon
spawning salmon or other fish movements and temporary pon-
toon bridges or stream fords would be used to provide equip-
ment access.
During construction of the facility sites, conveyor and
road, both temporary and permanent diversion ditches would
be constructed to divert runoff • from undisturbed areas
either around the construction sites or through culverts
installed under the road. These would be maintained until
disturbed areas were effectively controlled. Additional
drainage and sediment control measures would include sur-
facing of main roads and facility areas with gravel, and
revegetation of road cuts, embankments and other disturbed
areas as soon as possible after construction to minimize
erosion. In sensitive areas, e.g., adjacent to stream
channels, localized sediment control measures would be used,
including rock filter dams, gradient terraces with filter
ponds, rock drainageways, placement of sediment filter ponds
and use of straw or vegetation sediment filters. All
disturbed areas would be revegetated and mulched, if
necessary, as soon as possible after completion of construc-
tion activities/
The access/haul road would be maintained on a regular
basis. Maintenance would include grading, bridge, culvert
2-42
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and drainage ditch inspection, repair of any localized ero-
sion on embankments, wetting of the road surface by water
trucks to control dust during dry periods, and snow removal
by snowblower to prevent buildup of high snow berms which
would impede animal movements across the right-of-way.
2.11 OPERATION
2.11.1 Coal Productionand Shipping Schedules
Under the optimal four-year full production development
schedule, initial production would begin at a low level and
build to full production. During the initial year of opera-
tion, approximately 1.8 million Mt (2 million short tons) of
coal would be produced using two shifts of mine workers per
day and truck/shovel operations in the pit. The coal would
be transported to the port site on the access/haul road
using truck tractors, each hauling two, 45.4 Mt (50 ton)
uncovered trailers. The tractors would make approximately
55 round trips per day.
During the second year of operation, production would
be increased to about 3.6 million Mt (4 million short tons)
per year by adding a second work shift at the mine. The
coal would still be hauled by trucks to the port site in
approximately 99 round trips per day. Early in the second
year, the first dragline would begin working. Later in the
second year, the main overland conveyor would commence
operation. This would eliminate the need to haul coal by
truck to the port site. Production would increase in the
third year to approximately 5.4 million Mt (6 million short
tons) per year. In the fourth year, full production of
10.9 million Mt (12 million short tons) per year would be
reached. In the fifth year, the second dragline would begin
operation,
Shipping schedules and frequency would depend upon the
size of the ships to be loaded. Table 2-2 shows approximate
shipping characteristics for two sizes of ships at full pro-
duction.
At lower production levels not requiring ships, barges
would be berthed at the Ladd trestle for up to approximately
200 days per year.
2-43
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Table 2-2
APPROXIMATE SHIPPING CHARACTERISTICS AT FULL PRODUCTION
FOR TWO SIZES OF COAL SHIPS
Characteristics 100,000 dwt 60,000 dwt
Ship arrivals/yr 150 250
Interval between arrivals (days) 2.3 1.4
Berth loading time (hours) 25 15
Approximate berth occupancy 52% 57%
Source: Diamond Alaska Coal Company
2.11.2 Job Skills and Shift Schedules
An estimated total of 848 permanent employees would be
employed by the project at full production, with half that
total (424) being at the project site at any one time.
There would be two 11-hour shifts each day. Thus, half the
employees on site (212) would be working and half eating or
sleeping at any given time. Employees would work a four-
day-on, four-day-off schedule and would be flown back to
their homes in Anchorage or on the Kenai Peninsula during
their off-work periods. All operations except ship loading
would be scheduled for 362 days per year (three-day holiday
allowance). Shiploading would be scheduled for 350 days per
year to allow 12 days for down time due to weather and ice
conditions.
Table 2-?3 shows the estimated buildup of new permanent
project employees (excluding construction personnel) under
the optimal, four-year full production development schedule.
Of these 848 employees, approximately 218 would be
heavy equipment operators; 125 operators for trucks, light
equipment and other machinery; 289 mechanics, shop hands,
electricians, plumbers and other maintenance personnel; 110
miscellaneous personnel including cooks, bakers, house-
keepers, dishwashers, and other life support functions; and
106 administrative personnel.
2.11.3 Fuel Handling
Because the project would receive, store, and use
sizable quantities of diesel fuel, lubricating oils, and
other liquids at various facilities, a Spill Prevention,
Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan would be prepared for
each facility. Copies of that plan would be kept on file at
each facility. Each plan would specify 'the' methods which
would be used to prevent and control spills which might
occur during transportation, unloading, storage, or use of
2-44
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petroleum products. All personnel at each facility would be
trained in spill prevention and appropriate personnel would
be trained in the execution of the SPCC plan in case of a
spill. Each facility would have adequate equipment avail-
able to complete cleanup operations. During construction
each contractor would also be instructed in SPCC plan
compliance and cleanup methods.
Table 2-3
NEW PERMANENT PROJECT EMPLOYEES
(EXCLUDING CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL)
UNDER THE OPTIMAL, FOUR-YEAR FULL PRODUCTION
DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
Project Year New Employees
1
2 98
Construction 3 276
Mining Begins 4 140
5 96
6 86
7 122
8 30
Total 848
Source: Diamond Alaska Coal Company
Runoff water from the equipment washdown areas would
contain oils, grease, solvents, and other hydrocarbon
materials. The runoff pond receiving this water would be
equipped with a skimming device to separate these materials
and route them to storage areas.
Waste oil and other used hydrocarbon materials would be
collected, stored, and removed from the project area for
recycling or for disposal in approved waste disposal sites.
Other hazardous waste materials (e.g., paint, solvents)
would be handled and stored separately and shipped from the
project area for disposal in approved waste disposal sites.
2.11.4 Air Quality Considerations
Burning of slash material from clearing and grubbing
operations would occur only under favorable weather condi-
tions and when permitted by DEC. Otherwise, slash would be
buried under an adequate depth of spoil in the mine pit.
2-45
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At all facilities, operations would be conducted to
minimize coal dust, fugitive dust, and other emissions which
might affect air quality. At the mine service area and the
onshore port site, the coal stockpiles would be oriented to
minimize contact with the prevailing north-south winds.
Usually, no water would be sprayed onto the stockpiles
because of the normal water content of the coal and because
the coal would be regularly stacked and recovered and would
not remain in the stockpile for long periods. If coal did
remain in a stockpile for an extended length of time, peri-
odic applications of water or water with a chemical dust
retardant would be used. Tests on the spontaneous combus-
tion potential of the coal indicated no susceptibility to
firing while exposed to the atmosphere.
The coal stacking and recovery units would use water
sprays to control dust during those operations. All con-
veyor systems would be designed to minimize wind effects.
Both the mine conveyors and the main overland conveyor would
be partially enclosed. The transfer points, including the
second crusher in the mine service area, would use negative
pressure systems, water sprays and/or other technology to
capture as much coal dust as possible. Coal dust collected
from the negative pressure systems would be put back onto
the coal conveyors. The first crusher, in the mine area,
would not have a negative pressure system since it would be
open at the top to permit the trucks to dump coal into it.
Once the coal reached the shiploader, it would be
discharged into the barge or ship holds through a fixed
downspout. Coal would not be subjected to wind since the
downspout would extend into the ship's hold, keeping most of
the dust within the hold.
Fugitive dust would be minimized in several ways.
Ground disturbance would be kept to a minimum with disturbed
areas being revegetated as soon as possible. Exposed areas
which would be continuously used, e.g., roads, pads, laydown
areas-, would be surfaced with aggregate material. When dry
or windy conditions occur, these surfaces would be watered
to keep dust down, and truck speeds would be reduced to
lower fugitive dust emissions. During the early years of
operations when coal would be hauled to the port site by
trucks, road watering and use of a chemical dust suppres-
sant, if required, would keep fugitive dust emissions to a
minimum. Trucks would be properly loaded to prevent
spillage when turning or braking. Spillage which did occur
would be cleaned up to minimize coal fines on the road sur-
face .
2.11.5 Environmental TrainingProgram
An environmental training program designed to promote
environmental awareness and highlight environmental protec-
tion and mitigation measures would be developed for contrac-
2-4'6
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tors and employees. The program would include a description
of existing environmental resources, identification of
potential environmental impacts related to project opera-
tions, and a discussion of environmental protection and
mitigation measures with emphasis on employee involvement.
2.11.6 Environmental Coordinator
An environmental coordinator would be located in
Anchorage during the construction phase. Through onsite
monitoring, the coordinator would assure adherence to pro-
ject stipulations. During the operational phase, the coor-
dinator would continue to ensure that environmental permit
stipulations were met, direct the worker environmental
training program, investigate human/wildlife contacts
(including road collisions), oversee the various environmen-
tal mitigation and monitoring programs, and serve as agency
contact for project status reports and site inspections.
The environmental coordinator would be represented in the
field by a full-time, on-site environmental supervisor with
a support team made up of personnel from, the revegetation
and reclamation staff.
2-47
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Chapter 3.0
Alternatives
-------
3.0 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Three types of alternatives exist for the Diamond
Chuitna Coal Project: 1) alternatives that are available to
the applicant (action alternatives); 2) alternatives that
are available to the agencies which must act upon the
applicant's various permit applications (agency alterna-
tives); and 3) the No Action Alternative.
A description of the process of identifying and compar-
ing the action alternatives and selecting the preferred
alternatives constitutes the bulk of this chapter. The pro-
cess is designed to avoid significant adverse project
impacts. Identification of agency alternatives, which
largely involves minimization of unavoidable adverse impacts
is summarized in this chapter and detailed in Chapter 6.0.
The No Action Alternative is discussed in this chapter.
3.2 ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO THE APPLICANT
Identifying and comparing the alternatives available to
the applicant (action alternatives) and selecting the pre-
ferred alternative is a process of systematically, and
rationally reducing a large number of options to a smaller
number that ultimately represents the alternative with the'
fewest adverse impacts. It begins with the EIS scoping pro-
cess which identified the range of options and then proceeds
through screening and analysis stages as described below
until the preferred alternative is identified.
3.2.1 Options Initially Considered
The EIS scoping process, described in Chapter 7.0,
established important cornerstones for this EIS. First, it
identified 10 issues of major concern to be addressed during
the EIS process. These issues are described in Section 1.4
and were the bases for ultimately determining the action
alternatives. Second, to address the 10 issues, the scoping
process identified a full range of options for the project
components (Table 3-1). The initial options considered the
major technical, environmental, and economic issues asso-
ciated with the project. These initial options are
described below.
Thirty-one options were identified for the 12 project
components (Table 3-1). One component, the mine, had only
one option since the coal deposit, and therefore the mine
location, was fixed, A second component, the mine service
3-1
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Table 3-1
COMPONENT OPTIONS IDENTIFIED DURING THE SCOPING PROCESS
Component
Mine Location
Overburden Stockpile Location
Mine Service Area Location
Transportation System
o Corridor/port Location
o Mode
Loading Facility
o Type
o Length
Housing
o Location
o Type
Airstrip
Water Supply
Power Supply
Option
Fixed
North of mining limit
Center
Northeast
Southeast
Fixed
Northern/Ladd
Eastern/Ladd
Southeastern/North Foreland
Southern/Granite Point
Pneumo-train
Coarse coal-water slurry
Coal-carbon dioxide slurry
Road
Railroad
Conveyor
Filled causeway
Elevated trestle
Short
Long
Nikolai
Congahbuna
Lone Creek
Threemile Creek
Townsite
Single status
Existing
New
Surface impoundments
Wells
Purchase power from
Chugach Electric Association
3-2
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area (Fig. 3-1), was also relatively fixed because of its
dependence upon the mine location and because it would be
located at the approximate center of the three logical
mining units within the lease area, thus allowing its use
during future development of other coal resources. For a
third component, power supply, the only option considered
was purchase of power from the existing Chugach Electric
Association power plant at nearby Beluga (Fig. 2-1). Since
an existing powerline right-of-way from the Beluga Station
would intersect each of the transportation corridor options,
this option was clearly more environmentally favorable than
any on-site generation option.
3.2.1.1 Overburden Stockpile Location
Four locations for the overburden stockpile were
identified: north of the mining limit, in the center of the
mining limit, northeast, and southeast (Fig. 3-1).
3.2.1.2 Transportation Corridor/Port Location
Four corridor options were identified (northern,
eastern, southeastern, and southern) between the mine site
and Cook Inlet (Fig. 3-2).
Northern/Ladd
This corridor would extend approximately 14.4 km (9 mi)
east from the mine service area toward the Beluga airstrip,
then turn south southeast for approximately 8 km (5 mi) to a
port site at Ladd just north of the mouth of the Chuitna
River, about 5.6 km (3.5 mi) north northeast of Tyonek.
Eastern/Ladd
This corridor would extend approximately 17.6 km (11
mi) east southeast from the mine service area to the same
port site at Ladd.
Southeastern/North Foreland
This corridor would extend approximately 18.4 km (11.5
mi) southeast from the mine service area to a port site at
the North Foreland, about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) southwest of
Tyonek.
Southern/Granite Point
This corridor would extend approximately 17.6 km (11
mi) south from the mine service area to a port site at
Granite Point, about 14.4 km (9 mi) southwest of Tyonek.
The existing Ladd Road (Fig. 3-2), primarily used in
winter for moving heavy equipment in the region, was not
considered since its alignment and condition are such that
3-3
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Stockpile Locations
LEASE AREA
BOUNDERY
EASTERN
CONVEYOR
SOU! HEASTEN
AN ) HAUL ROAD
SOUTHERN
CONVEYOR
SCALE IN MILES
1/2 t 2
HAUL ROAD
SOURCE: DIAMOND ALASKA COAL COMPANY
INITIAL MINE AREA OPTIONS LOCATIONS
FIGURE 3-1
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
3-4
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-I-
LEGEND
AIRSTRIP
Susitna Flats
Wildlife Refuge
TYONEK NATIVE CORP. BOUNDARY
HOUSING
PORT SITE
HAUL ROAD
CONVEYO* iDenslow Lake
Chugach Elecjfic
Beluga Power Station
F EXISTING CHUGACH
POWER LINE
Congahbuna
Lake
Tyonek
North Foreland
QNIKOLAI
--, Trading Bay
Refuge
Nikolai Ck<
Airstrip*
Granite Point
IN MILES
SOURCE: DIAMOND ALASKA COAL COMPANY
INITIAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR, HOUSING
AND AIRSTRIP OPTIONS LOCATIONS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 3-2
3-5
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it would have to be totally rebuilt with no significant
environmental or economic savings.
3.2.1.3 Transportation Mode
Six options were identified for the method of trans-
porting coal from the mine to the port site.
Pneumo-train
In this option, open-top, wheeled capsules would be
loaded continuously with crushed coal at the mine and pro-
pelled down a buried pipeline by compressed air to the port.
There the coal would be dumped and the cars returned to the
mine via a second pipeline. The coal would be stored at the
port for ship loading.
Coarse Coal-WaterSlurry
The coal would be crushed, mixed with water, and pushed
through a slurry pipeline to the port. There the coal would
be separated from the water, dried, and loaded directly onto
ships. The slurry pipeline would operate only when a ship
was available for loading, thus eliminating the need for
coal storage at the port. Slurry water would be processed
and recycled back to the mine in a closed system.
Coal-Carbon Dioxide Slurry
In this option, coal would be washed, crushed to a fine
powder, and dried at the mine site. The powdered coal would
be mixed with liquid carbon dioxide (CC>2) and transported
via pipeline to the port. At the port, the C02 would be
heated and flashed, thus separating the coal for direct
loading onto a waiting ship. No coal would be stockpiled
at the port. The CC>2 would be recompressed and returned to
the mine.
Road
For this option, the haul road initially built to
supply the mine area, which would be used to transport coal
to the port for the first years of production, would con-
tinue to serve as the transportation mode throughout the
life of the project. At full production, approximately
twenty-three truck tractors, each hauling two 45.4 Mt (50
ton) uncovered trailers, would make about 311 round trips
per day between the mine and the port. Coal would be stock-
piled until a ship arrived.
Railroad
Crushed coal would be loaded at the mine for transport
by .rail to the port. Approximately 3.3 round trips per day
would be made using 100-car trains over 1.6 km (1 mi) in
3-6
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length. Coal would be unloaded from the heavy duty bottom-
dump hopper cars and stockpiled until a ship arrived.
Conveyor
For this option, coal would be crushed, placed on a
single span, covered, conventional belt conveyor, and
carried to the port. Coal would be delivered directly to a
ship or taken from the conveyor and stockpiled until a ship
arrived.
3.2.1.4 Loading Facility Type
Two options for the coal loading facility were identi-
fied.
Filled Causeway
The causeway would be earth-filled and armored with
rock. It would support the conveyor and shiploader struc-
tures as well as a road for operations and maintenance per-
sonnel. The causeway would be used for unloading barges and
other fuel and supply ships.
ElevatedTrestle
An elevated, pile-supported approach trestle would sup-
port the conveyor and shiploader as well as a narrow roadway
for operations and maintenance personnel and equipment.
While it would not serve supply barges (there would be a
separate barge staging area on the beach), it would support
a pipeline to move fuel from tankers or barges to storage
tanks at the onshore port area.
' 3.2.1.5 Loading Facility Length
Both short and long loading facilities for full produc-
tion were considered for each port location. The options
represent the facility lengths necessary to reach water
depths that would allow use by either smaller (60,000 dwt)
or larger (up to 120,000 dwt) vessels. The smaller vessels
would require a berthing depth of about 14 m (46 ft) at mean
lower low water (MLLW) while the larger vessels would
require between 15.2 to 18.3 m (50 to 60 ft) of depth.
3.2.1.6 Housing Location
Four options for the location of worker housing were
identified (Fig. 2-1).
Nikolai Site
The Nikolai site is about 9.6 km (6 mi) northwest of
Granite Point and 14.4 km (9 mi) south of the mine site.
The housing area would be located on the edge of the Nikolai
3-7
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escarpment with a southerly exposure overlooking Trading Bay
State Game Refuge.
Congahbuna Site
The Congahbuna site is immediately northeast of
Congahbuna Lake, about 8 km (5 mi) north of Granite Point
and 9.6 km (6 mi) south of the mine site. This site would
be located in the middle of the southern transportation
corridor option.
Lone Creek Site
The Lone Creek site is immediately north of the Chuitna
River about 12.8 km (8 mi) north of Granite Point. It would
be west of Lone Creek and about 4.8 km (3 mi) southeast of
the mine site.
Threemile Site
The Threemile site is north of Threemile Creek and
south of the Beluga River about 6.4 km (4 mi) west of the
Chugach Electric Association Beluga Power Plant. This site
is located just north of the northern corridor.
3.2.1.7 Housing Type
Two options for worker housing were identified.
Townsite
The townsite would have a large proportion of individ-
ual houses and apartments for workers and their families.
Additional community facilities would include schools,
hospital, recreation center, eligi'ous facilities, town
administration offices, police and fire stations, super-
market, and department store. The townsite would function
as a largely self-contained entity with workers commuting to
work daily from their homes as do most workers in Alaska.
No - transportation to the townsite from Anchorage would be
provided and workers would live and recreate in and around
the townsite.
Single Status Housing
Single status housir. facilities would provide indi-
vidual rooms for workers '. n a camp-type housing complex
which would include a din..ag hall/administration building,
recreation center, laundry, medical facilities, and security
and fire services. Minimal emphasis would be placed on
shopping and commercial facilities since the personal needs
of the workers, including routine health care, would be
served during their off-work, off-site periods. Workers
would be flown to the project area from Anchorage and Kenai
for their time on the job and then be returned home for
their off-work periods.
3-8
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3.2.1.8 Airstrip
Two options for location of an airstrip were identi-
fied: an existing airstrip in the region or a new one in
proximity to the housing area.
3.2.1.9 Water Supply
Two options were considered for supplying both the
industrial and domestic water needs of the project: surface
impoundments and wells.
3.2.2 Options Screening Process
The options screening process was conducted in two
steps. First, all 31 options identified during the scoping
process were initially evaluated to eliminate those options
which were clearly unreasonable or infeasible for environ-
mental, technical, or other reasons. In the second step,
all remaining options not eliminated in step one were eva-
luated in greater detail.
3.2.2.1 Initial Options Evaluation
Each of the 31 component options identified during the
scoping process was individually reviewed from environmental
and technical perspectives. If an option was environmen-
tally and technically reasonable and feasible, it was
retained for further analysis. If, however, the option was
determined to be unreasonable or infeasible, and if other
options retained for that component adequately addressed the
10 scoping issues, it was eliminated. Table 3-2 identifies
the nine options eliminated during this initial options
review, and outlines the major reasons why each was elimi-
nated. Table 3-3 summarizes the results of the initial
options evaluation process and shows which options were
retained or eliminated.
The elimination of the southeastern/North Foreland
transportation corridor/port location option requires some
amplification. The North Foreland port site is located on
land owned by TNC and was considered as an option because
there is an existing port at the site, including a pier,
which was used in the 1970s for loading wood chips aboard
vessels for transport to market. An analysis of the pier,
as well as tidal currents and ice conditions, was conducted
by the applicant (Soros Associates 1986) to determine the
feasibility of using the North Foreland site. That study,
as reviewed by Dames & iMoore, showed low ship berthing
availability due to tidal currents and ice for any pier
located at that site. While berthing availability would
probably be adequate to load coal during the lower coal pro-
duction levels early in the project, serious difficulties
and vessel delay could be expected during full coal produc-
tion levels of 10.9 million Mt (12 million short tons).
3-9
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Table 3-2
MAJOR REASONS FOR ELIMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS
DUMPS INITIAL OPTIONS EVALUATION
Component OptionEliminated
Overburden Stockpile Center
Northeast
Transportation
Corridor/Port
Location
Southeastern/
North Foreland
Transporation Mode Pneumo-train
Coarse coal-
water slurry
Coal-carbon
dioxide slurry
Loading Facility
Filled causeway
Housing Type
Townsite
Water Supply
Surface
impoundments
Major Reasons for Elimination
o Inside mining limit (stockpiled
material would have to be rehandled
to mine under stockpile)
o Would require a bridge across Lone
Creek
o Visual impacts
o Port site tidal currents and ice con-
ditions prevent ship berthing/loading
to full project production capacity
o Demonstration plant technology only
o Moderate product degradation (10%
BTU loss from water)
o Unproven Arctic technology
o Spill hazard
o Pilot plant technology only
o Spill hazard
o Final product not presently market-
able
o Large quantities of fill and armor
rock required
o Constant protection from tidal and
ice scour required
o Interference with anadromous fish
movements and local set net fishery
o Substantially greater infrastructure
required (water, sewer, housing,
etc.)
o Adverse to local autonomy
o Less adaptable to traditional
regional lifestyles
o Competition with subsistence activ-
ities
o Greater land area impact
o Greater impacts on fish and wildlife
(increased hunting & fishing;
human/wildlife contacts; en.:.1.)
o Block free-flowing streams
o Interference with fish movements
o High dams to store water in winter
3-10
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Table 3-3
OPTIONS ELIMINATED OR REIMNED FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
DURING INITIAL OPTIONS EVALUATION
Component
Options Retained
Options Eliminated
iMine Location Fixedl
Overburden Stockpile North
Location Southeast
Mine Service Area Fixedl
Transporation System
o Corridor/Port
Location
o Mode
Loading Facility
0
o Length
Housing
o Location
o Type
Airstrip
Water Supply
Power Generation
Northern/Ladd
Eastern/Ladd
Southern/Granite Point
Road
Railroad
Conveyor
Elevated Trestlel
Short
Long
Nikolai
Congahbuna
Lone Creek
Threemile Creek
Single Statusl
Existing
New
Wellsl
Purchasel
Center
Northeast
Southeastern/North Foreland
Pneumo-Train
Coarse Coal-Water Slurry
Coal-Carbon Dioxide Slurry
Filled Causeway
Townsite
Surface Impoundments
1 Sole option remaining for this component
3-11
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The existing pier was also judged inadequate since water
depth is not sufficient to accommodate vessels of 72,576 Mt
(60,000 dwt) or larger needed at full production. Further,
it is misaligned with respect to dominant ebb and flood
current direction, it has an inadequate fender system and
sedimentation at the berth, and it is structurally inade-
quate to support a movable type shiploader needed to load
ships at full coal production levels.
As a result of the initial options screening, the
number of components with only one option to be considered
increased to six. Housing type, water supply, and type of
loading facility joined the mine location, mine service area
location, and power supply as single option components.
3.2.2.2 Remaining Options Evaluation
Since all options in the applicant's Proposed Projects
were environmentally and technically reasonable .nd
feasible, each of those options was retained so that the
applicant's Proposed Projects would constitute formal alter-
natives to be analyzed during the analysis of alternatives
process. Then, for each component where at least one option
other than the applicant's choice remained, all options were
individually evaluated from the perspective of each resource
or technical discipline (e.g., water quality, subsistence,
technical feasibility, etc.). If it was determined that one
of the other options was as good as, or better than, the
applicant's option on an overall basis, or if it addressed
one or more of the 10 scoping issues in a significantly more
favorable manner than did the applicant's proposed option,
that option was retained for the analysis of alternatives
process.
The following discussions summarize the results of
these more detailed analyses and describe why an additional
seven options and one component were eliminated from con-
sideration. Generally, only those disciplines which would
likely have a reasonable difference in impacts between
options are discussed.
Overburden Stockpile
The two remaining stockpile locations, north and south-
east (Fig. 3-1), would have similar impacts on water quality
and vegetation, but the north site would be closer to fish
spawning habitat and would be in the southern portion of a
fall moose rutting* area. Also, use of the north site would
subject drainage 2004 to project-related disturbance immedi-
ately rather than 22 years into the project. The north site
would have poorer foundation conditions and would cause
greater negative visual impacts than the southeast. On the
basis of this analysis, and since it did not address any of
the 10 scoping issues more favorably than the southeast site
(the applicant's proposed option), the north site was elimi-
3-12
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nated, leaving the southeast site as the single option for
location of the overburden stockpile.
Transportation Corridor/Port Location
Initial analysis of the three options showed that all
were environmentally and technically reasonable and feasi-
ble. Because of the- complicated nature of a discipline-by-
discipline comparison among all three options, and since the
northern/Ladd option and the' eastern/Ladd option shared the
same port site, it was logical to do a comparative analysis
between these two options to determine if one option could
be eliminated.
To compare these options, a specific set of "options
screening criteria" was developed to evaluate potential
impacts (Table 3-4). Table 3-5 summarizes the comparative
resource discipline analyses for the northern/Ladd and the
aastern/Ladd transportation corridor/port site options based
upon the options screening criteria in Table 3-4. For each
of the 10 disciplines, the potential adverse impacts for
each option are shown relative to those for the other
option. Generally, only those screening criteria having a
reasonable difference in adverse impacts between options are
discussed.
Analysis of relative potential for adverse impact to
water quality showed that since the eastern/Ladd option
would be shorter and make fewer stream crossings, it was
considered to have a relatively low potential for adverse
impact from sediment production during construction, opera-
tion, and reclamation. The no'rthern/Ladd option was judged
to have a relatively moderate potential for adverse impact.
From a vegetation standpoint, the longer northern/Ladd
option would directly affect a larger acreage of vege-
tation and 44 percent more wetlands. Indirectly, the
northern/Ladd option would potentially impact a greater area
of vegetation due to traffic-generated dust. Therefore, the
northern/Ladd option was judged to have a relatively
moderate potential for impact while the eastern/Ladd option
was judged to have a relatively low potential.
Analysis of the relative potential impact to fish
showed that the eastern/Ladd option would involve four
stream crossings with two crossings being in areas of high
fish value. The northern/Ladd option would involve five to
eight stream crossings with at least two crossings being in
areas of high fish value. Thus, the overall relative poten-
tial for adverse impact for the eastern/Ladd option was
judged to be low, while that for the northern/Ladd option
was judged to be moderate.
From a wildlife perspective, the northern/Ladd option
would directly impact more wetlands and riparian habitats
3-13
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Table 3-4
TRANSPORTATION ODKRIDOR/POKT LOCATION INDIVIDUAL
DISCIPLINE OPTIONS SCREENING CRITERIA
Disciplinel
Options Screening Criteria
Water Quality
Vegetation
Fish
Wildlife
Socioeconcmics
Subsistence
Recreation
Regional Use
Technical
Feasibility
Reclamation
Sediment production from road surfaces, cuts, fills,
sideslopes and stream crossings
Reclamation difficulty
Spill Hazard (includes offshore port)
Direct vegetation loss
Indirect loss from dust and vehicle or foot traffic
Relative value of wetlands lost
Presence or absence of fish
Value in terms of spawning, rearing or migration
Number of stream crossings
Direct habitat loss
Indirect habitat loss due to noise, other disturbance or
human contacts
Effects on animal movements
Local resident control of, or input to, project through
land ownership
Proximity of port site to Tyonek
Income from corridor and port site leases
Interference with access to traditional use areas
Interference with existing harvest activities
Changes in resource availability {increased competition,
reduced populations, changes in movement patterns)
Impacts on existing recreation
Flexibility for other regional uses
Size and location of component sites adequate for expansion
Preclusion of other users or uses
Consolidation with existing facilities
Availability of adequate construction technology
Relative complexity of design, construction and operation
Reclamation difficulty
Includes only disciplines having a reasonable difference in impacts among
the options
3-14
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Table 3-5
COMPARATIVE RESOURCE DISCIPLINE ANALYSIS OF
RELATIVE POTENTIAL IMPACTS FOR THE NORTHERN/LADD AND
EASTERN/IADD TRANSPORATION CORRIDOR/PORT SITE LOCATION OPTIONS
Northern/Ladd _ Eastern/Ladd _
Discipline1 LOW Moderate High Low Moderate High
Water Quality M L
Vegetation M L
Fish M L
Wildlife H M
Socioeconcmics M L
Subsistence L L
Recreation M L
Regional Use M M
Technical Feasibility L L
Reclamation M L
Includes only disciplines having a reasonable difference in adverse inpacts
between the options.
3-15
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important to waterfowl and bears, respectively. Indirect
habitat loss for swan nesting and rearing would be equally
high for both options, but the northern/Ladd option would
pass within 457 m (500 yd) of an eagle nest. Effects upon
animal movements for both options would be similarly
moderate. Therefore, the northern/Ladd option was judged to
have a relatively high potential for adverse impacts upon
wildlife while the eastern/Ladd option was considered to
have a relatively moderate potential.
Analysis of the socioeconomic impacts upon residents 06
Tyonek showed that the eastern/Ladd option would cross lands
owned by TNC , thereby giving Tyonek residents some degree of
control over project design and location as well as direct
income from a corridor right-of-way lease. The northern/
Ladd option would not cross any TNC lands. Both options
would offer the same benefits of proximity to jobs as well
as the disadvantages of the port site being relatively close
to the village. Thus, the eastern/Ladd option was judged to
have a relatively low potential for adverse impact while the
northern/Ladd option was judged to have a moderate poten-
tial .
From a subsistence perspective, the potential for
adverse impact to residents of Tyonek from either the
eastern/Ladd option or the northern/Ladd option was con-
sidered to be low since Tyonek residents make relatively
little use of lands affected by those options. The level of
impact to the small number of residents between the Ladd
port site and the Beluga power station is unknown, but would
likely not differ significantly between the two options.
Analysis of relative potential impact to recreation
showed that the northern/Ladd option crossed more streams
chan did the eastern/Ladd option, including three or four
crossings of Threemile Creek. The northern/Ladd option
wo .d also pass very close to Viapan and Tukallah Lakes.
Thus, the northern/Ladd option was judged to have a rela-
tively moderate potential for adverse impact while the
eastern/Ladd option was judged to have a relatively low
potential .
From a regional use perspective, there was no signifi-
cant difference between the options relating to size or
ability to expand to accommodate other users, nor was there
a difference in consolidation with existing facilities.
Both options would cross private land which might restrict
other potential uses in the future. The northern/Ladd
option would cross the southern extreme of another state
coal lease (Fig. 4-1), thus making development more economi-
cally feasible by having a road and conveyor right on the
lease. This was not judged, however, to be a significant
difference considering the relatively small advantage this
would provide to the lease holder. Thus, on an overall
regional use basis, both options were considered to have
moderate potential for adverse impact.
3-16
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Analysis of technical feasibility showed adequate
construction technology exists for both options, with
neither having significant complexity of design, construc-
tion, or operation. Thus, both options were judged to have
a relatively low potential for adverse impacts.
From a reclamation perspective, the northern/Ladd
option, with its greater length and acreage of wetlands and
higher number of stream crossings, was considered to be more
difficult to reclaim. Thus, the eastern/Ladd option was
judged to have a relatively low potential for adverse
impacts while the northern/Ladd option was judged to have
a moderate potential.
Overall analysis of the 10 resource disciplines for the
two transportation corridor/port site options showed (Table
3-5) that the eastern/Ladd option clearly had a lower
overall potential for adverse impacts than did the
northern/Ladd option. The eastern/Ladd option was judged to
have a low potential for adverse impacts for eight of the 10
disciplines with none rated as having a high potential,
while the northern/Ladd option was judged to have a low
potential for impacts for only two disciplines and rated as
having a high potential for one.
In final analysis, the eastern/Ladd option was judged
superior to the northern/Ladd option. However, despite its
inferior rating, the northern/Ladd option could not be eli-
minated at this early option screening stage because it is
one of the applicant's alternatives. Therefore, both
options were retained and specifically addressed in the com-
parison of action alternatives process.
Transportation Mode
Table 3-6 summarizes the resource discipline analysis
of the three remaining transportation modes for moving coal
from the mine to the port; road, railroad, and conveyor (the
applicant's proposed option).
For each discipline, the potential adverse impacts for
each option are shown relative to the potential impacts for
the other two options. For the road option, it is important
to keep in mind that a road from the port to the mine would
still exist in any event, i.e., the road would be there
whether or not another coal transportation mode was
constructed. Therefore, cumulative adverse impacts were
considered for construction of the other transportation
modes. For example, the road would have a lower adverse
impact than the railroad or conveyor on vegetation because
their construction would destroy additional vegetation,
while use of the existing road to haul the coal would
3-17
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Tabla 3-6
RESOURCE DISCIPLINE
POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS
ANALYSES OF THE RELATIVE
OF TRANSPORTATION MODE OPTIONS
Mode
Road
Discipline* Low Moderate High
Water Quality H
Air Quality H
Vegetation L
Fish M
Wildlife H
Subsistence M
Visual H
Noise . H
Recreation H
Economics M
Reclamation L
Regional Use M
Railroad Conveyor
Low Moderate High Low Moderate
L L
M L
H
L L
M L
H
M M
M L
M L
H L
H M
L M
High
H
H
»
Includes only disciplines having a reasonable difference in adverse
impacts among the options.
-------
cause no additional vegetation destruction (assuming ade-
quate dust control measures). The following discussion
addresses only resource discipline analyses which showed a
reasonable difference in adverse impacts among the options.
Because of the high level of truck traffic necessary to
transport the coal by road at full production (approximately
331 round trips per day), erosion problems, hence potential
adverse water quality impacts, would be significantly
greater than for either the railroad or conveyor options,
both of which were rated as relatively low.
By the same reasoning, the road option rated high for
potential adverse air quality impacts. The railroad, which
would generate a diesel smoke plume and some dust, was rated
as moderate. The conveyor option was rated as low.
From a vegetation perspective, the road option rated
relatively low since the road would already exist and only
moderate additional vegetation destruction would occur if it
continued to be used to haul coal throughout the life of the
project. Potential adverse railroad impacts were rated as
relatively high due to the necessity to clear and maintain
another right-of-way. Although the conveyor itself would
sit on elevated supports, it would need an adjacent service
road throughout its length which would also require clearing
and maintenance of another right-of-way. The conveyor
option was also rated as having a relatively high potential
for adverse impacts to vegetation.
The greater potential adverse water quality impacts
identified for the road option, discussed above, resulted in
a relatively moderate rating for potential adverse fish
impacts while the railroad and conveyor options were rated
as relatively low for this discipline.
From a wildlife perspective, the road option possesses
a relatively high level of potential for adverse impacts
because of disturbance from noise and vehicle movements
associated with the 331 round trips per day (an average of
one truck with two trailers passing a given point every 2
minutes, 22 hours per day, 362 days per year). Also, deep
snow in winter would cause moose to use the cleared road to
move about, resulting in more frequent vehicle/moose colli-
sions. The railroad option would generate substantially
less noise and movement on a continuous basis than would the
road, but it would have the same problems with moose colli-
sions in winter. It was rated as having a relatively
moderate potential for adverse impact. The conveyor would
be stationary and would generate significantly less noise.
Its main potential adverse impact would be physical blockage
of animal movements, a problem not associated with either
the road or railroad. Since large animal crossings would be
designed into the conveyor option, it was rated as having a
relatively low potential for adverse impact.
3-19
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The road and railroad would potentially hava direct
adverse impacts upon subsistence resources. The moose popu-
lation, especially, would be expected to be adversely
affected as a result of collisions with vehicles. The
railroad and conveyor could also have direct impacts upon
subsistence use because they could physically block access
across the transportation corridor. With the conveyor
generally elevated only 0.6 m (2 ft) above the 'ground (with
no clearance in winter due to snow), traditional winter tra-
vel across the corridor could be limited to the road and
large animal crossings. The railroad right-of-way could
pose a similar though less formidable obstacle, especially
to snow machines. Thus, the road was considered to have a
relatively moderate potential for adverse impacts on sub-
sistence while the railroad and the conveyor were considered
to have relatively high potential for adverse impacts.
Visually, the road, with its frequent truck traffic and
associated dust, was judged to have a relatively high level
of potential for adverse impact. The railroad, with its
5.5 m (18 ft) high engines and 1.6 km (1 mi) long trains was
judged to have a relatively moderate level of potential for
adverse impact. The conveyor would be stationary and stand
about 2.7 m (9 ft) above the ground and was also judged to
have a relatively moderate level of potential for adverse
impacts.
The road option was determined to have a relatively
high potential for adverse impacts from noise associated
with truck traffic. The railroad was judged to have a
moderate relative potential impact for noise, while the con-
veyor was determined to have a relatively low potential
impact.
From a recreation perspective, noise and visual con-
siderations (including dust) were the primary factors used
to determine effects upon the quality of the recreation
experience. On that basis, the road was determined to have
a relatively high potential for adverse impact while the
railroad was judged to have a relatively moderate potential.
The conveyor, with its stationary nature and lower noise
level, was judged to have a relatively low level of poten-
tial impact.
On the basis of initial capital as well as operation
and maintenance costs, the road option was judged to be of
moderate overall economic impact while the railroad was
determined as having a relatively high economic impact. The
conveyor was judged to have an overall relatively low eco-
nomic impact.
From a reclamation perspective, the road, which would
exist in any event, was considered to have a relatively low
potential for adverse impacts. The railroad was judged to
have a relatively high potential impact because of the
3-20
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necessity to reclaim the greater cuts and fills necessary to
maintain grade and to remove the large 'bridge across the
Chuitna River if the southern corridor option were selected.
The conveyor, which would largely be elevated above the
ground on pilings, was considered to have a relatively
moderate potential for adverse impacts from reclamation.
The railroad seemed to possess some possible advantage
over the other two options when considering future regional
uses. The road option would exist for other potential users
regardless of which other coal transportation mode was
built. The conveyor system would be sized for the output of
the Diamond Chuitna project only. If another coal develop-
ment commenced operations during the life of the Diamond
Chuitna project or if another large development occurred
after the coal mine was terminated, the conveyor system
would not have the capacity or geographic flexibility to
handle additional coal. The railroad option could provide
some advantage for another coal development project
favorably located with respect to the right-of-way.
However, another project of similar size to the Diamond
Chuitna project would probably have to substantially upgrade
the size of any existing railroad system to meet its needs.
Thus, both the road and the conveyor options were judged to
have a relatively high potential for adverse impacts from a
regional perspective (i.e., both would have no significant
positive effect on promoting a regional coal transportation
system), while the railroad was judged to have a relatively
moderate level of adverse impacts.
Overall analysis of the three options (Table 3-65
clearly showed that the conveyor option had the lowest
levels of relative adverse impacts for the twelve discipli-
nes considered. The conveyor option showed relatively high
potential for adverse impacts for only, three disciplines:
vegetation, subsistence and regional perspective. The rela-
tive differences among the three options for potential
impacts to vegetation were not judged to be significant.
The relatively high adverse impact rating for the regional
use discipline was also judged not to be significant because
it merely means that the conveyor would not have a positive
effect on promoting a regional coal transportation system,
but it would not in any way preclude such a system from
being developed in the future.
The one major discipline concern for the conveyor was
the relatively high potential impact of blocking access to
traditional subsistence use areas if the southern
corridor/Granite Point option were selected. This concern
could be addressed by providing enough crossings to permit
subsistence users reasonable access to traditional use
areas. It was felt that this potential problem could be
adequately handled in the design of that option, and thus
the conveyor system (the applicant's proposed option) was
judged the best overall transportation mode option for
addressing the 10 scoping issues.
3-21
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Facility Length
Both full production options identified, i.e., a short
trestle and a long trestle, were dependent upon vessel draft
and water depth. The greatest difference between these
options would occur at the Granite Point port site where the
shorter trestle would be approximately 2,277 m (7,470 ft)
and the longer trestle 3,810 m (12,500 ft). Analysis showed
only three areas where a reasonable difference between the
options would exist. Visually, the longer facility would
have a greater adverse impact. It would also require
somewhat greater travel time for a larger boat moving along
the coast to pass around it. Smaller boats, which make up
the majority of existing use, could sail through the 122 m
(400 ft) openings between the trestle supports. From a
regional use perspective, however, the longer facility could
be considered more favorable because of its increased flexi-
bility for other potential users. None of these three dif-
ferences was considered significant and neither option
addressed any of the 10 scoping issues in a significantly
more favorable manner than the other. Thus, it was judged
that length of the loading facility was not of significant
importance and it was dropped as a component.
Hous i ng__Loca t i on
Initial analysis of the four housing location options,
Nikolai, Congahbuna, Lone Creek (the applicant's proposed
option), and Threemile, showed that three of the four sites
were corridor specific (Fig. 3-2). Lone Creek was the only
option which could be used regardless of which transpor-
tation corridor was selected. Both the Nikolai and
Congahbuna sites are located well south of the mine area
near Granite Point and would be practical only if the
southern corridor were selected. The Threemile site is just
north of the northern corridor near the Beluga power station
and would be practical only if the northern corridor were
selected. Since all four sites had already been determined
to be environmentally and technically reasonable and
feasible, it was decided to retain each corridor-specific
option for alternative analysis with its respective corri-
dor. This was predicated on the assumption that the option
was the best one for that corridor and that it addressed at
least one scoping issue more favorably than did the Lone
Creek site. The Lone Creek site would be retained in any
event because it is the applicant's proposed option and it
is not corridor specific.
Analysis of the Nikolai and Congahbuna options showed
that they are within 4.8 km (3 mi) of each other and have
many similarities. Because the two sites are so similar, it
appeared most logical to. compare them to. one, another to
select the more favorable for retention.
Although the Nikolai and Congahbuna sites showed few
significant differences among potential adverse resource
3-22
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discipline impacts, the Nikolai site was considered to have
more potential for adverse impacts upon both fish and wild-
life because it is closer to Nikolai Creek and Trading Bay
Refuge. Also, Nikolai would have a greater adverse visual
impact because it would be located apart from the conveyor
and the haul road whereas Congahbuna would be in the trans-
portation corridor immediately adjacent to the conveyor and
haul road. The Nikolai site, being further from the mine
site, would also increase the daily cost of transporting the
majority of workers to their work stations. From the sub-
sistence perspective, however, there does not appear to be
much use of the Nikolai site by local residents while the
area in the vicinity of Congahbuna Lake receives some use
for hunting, picnicking, and berry picking. Taking all
potential impacts into account, the Congahbuna site collec-
tively was judged to be more favorable than the Nikolai
site.
A further analysis between the Lone Creek and
Congahbuna housing site options showed that the Congahbuna
option addressed at least two scoping issues (fish and
socioeconomics) in a significantly more favorable manner
than did the Lone Creek option. Therefore, the Congahbuna
option was retained for alternatives analysis.
Analysis of the Threemile housing site showed this
option addressed at least one scoping issue (regional use)
in a more favorable manner than did the Lone Creek option.
Therefore, the Threemile option was retained for the alter-
native analysis process.
Airstrip Location
Two options were identified for locating the airstrip
to be used to shuttle workers "between the project area and
their homes in Anchorage and on the Kenai Peninsula: use of
a presently existing airstrip in the vicinity of the project
area or construction of a new airstrip adjacent to the
housing site ultimately selected. The latter is the appli-
cant's preferred option.
Using an existing airstrip would offer the advantages
of lower capital costs for construction and less environmen-
tal impact at the site of the proposed new airstrip.
Disadvantages would include: the possible need to construct
additional roads and bridges to access an existing strip;
greater operational costs and environmental impacts from
transporting workers and equipment significantly greater
distances; the necessity to substantially upgrade an
existing airstrip; and the possibility of more marginal
operating conditions because the existing runway alignment
might not be optimum. Other disadvantages related to the
operation of an existing airstrip at greater distances from
the housing site would include the need to construct larger
terminal facilities to shelter workers waiting for planes,
3-23
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the increased risk and liability from unauthorized use of a
previously public airstrip by private pilots, hunters or
fishermen, and vandalism.
On a more site-specific basis, all currently usable
airstrips in the vicinity of the project area which might
be upgraded to handle traffic needs for the Diamond Chuitna
Project are private. Thus, their availability for use by
the project would be uncertain. The major airstrips
(Beluga, Tyonek, and Nikolai Creek) would be located
approximately 19.2 to 28.8 km (12 to 18 mi) from the mine
site. While the Beluga airstrip is presently capable of
handling the traffic needs of the project, Tyonek and
Nikolai Creek are not. They both would require lengthening
and construction of a cross runway. This would probably
not be possible at Nikolai Creek because of space limita-
tions and the substantial adverse wetlands impacts which
would occur. Whether residents of Tyonek would consent to a
major upgrading and operation of a busier airstrip imme-
diately adjacent to the village is doubtful.
Other airstrips in the vicinity are mostly smaller ones
built to support short term oil and gas drilling operations.
Some are presently useable by small aircraft, but all would
require substantial upgrading and construction of a cross
runway before being capable of supporting the project's
operational needs. From a strictly geographical standpoint,
the "Pan Am" airstrip, located only 0.6 km (0.4 mi) east of
the Lone Creek housing site, would appear to be the most
logical location because it would be close to the mine site.
However, its location on the bluff above stream 2003 would
prevent it from being upgraded to sufficient size.
On the basis of the advantages and disadvantages dis-
cussed above, it was judged that use of an existing airstrip
in the vicinity of the project area, as opposed to construc-
tion of a new airstrip immediately adjacent to the housing
site, would not address any of the 10 issues in a signifi-
cantly more favorable manner. This option was therefore
eliminated.
At the completion of the options screening process, a
total of one component and 15 options had been eliminated.
The options that were retained and used to form the action
alternatives are shown in Table 3-7,
3.2.3 Identification and Descriptionof ActionAlternatives
The options screening process left only two components
with more than one option remaining: the transportation
corridor/port site location and the housing site location.
Since the applicant wishes to retain two transportation
corridor/port site options (southern/Granite Point and
northern/Ladd), two alternatives using these options were
identified as the applicant's proposed projects. A third
3-24
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Table 3-7
OPTIONS USED TO FORM ALTERNATIVES
Component Option(s)
MineLocation Fixed
Overburden Stockpile Location Southeast
Mine Service Area Fixed
Transportation System
o Corridor Location Southern/Granite Point
Northern/ladd
Eastern/Ladd
o Mode Conveyor
Load ing Facility Elevated Trestle
Hous i ng
o Location LoneCreek
Congahbuna
Threemi1e Creek
oType SingleStatus
Airstrip New
Water Supply * Wei 1s
Power Generation Purchase
-------
alternative, using the eastern/Ladd option, is also
discussed. Finally, two housing/airstrip options other than
the applicant's r-"oposed option at Lone Creek were iden-
tified. The following sections describe the action alter-
natives that have been selected for detailed consideration
in this EIS. Table 3-8 presents a matrix showing which com-
ponents are included in each alternative.
3.2.3.1 Southern/Granite Point Alternative
In addition to the fixed mine and mine service area
locations, this alternative would site the overburden stock-
pile southeast of the mining limit. It includes a conveyor
system within the southern transportation corridor to the
site at Granite Point (Figs. 2-1 and 3-1). The port coal-
loading facility would be an elevated trestle. A single-
status housing facility with associated new airstrip would
be located at the Lone Creek site. Water would be supplied
by wells and power would be purchased from the Chugach
Electric Association natural gas power station at Beluga.
3.2.3.2 Northern/Ladd Alternative
This alternative is the same as the southern/Granite
Point alternative except the northern transportation corri-
dor to a port site at Ladd would be used (Fig. 2-1).
3.2.3.3 Eastern/Ladd Alternative
This alternative would be the same as the northern/Ladd
alternative except that the eastern corridor to a port site
at Ladd would be used (Pig. 2-13.
3.2.3,4 Housing/Airstrip Options
Congahbuna Housing/Airstrip Option
This option would be substituted for the Lone Creek
housing/airstrip site in the southern/Granite Point alter-
.native with the housing area and the airstrip being located
at the Congahbuna site (Fig. 2-1).
Threemile Housing/AirstripOption
This option would be substituted for the Lone Creek
housing/airstrip site in the northern/Ladd alternative with
the housing area and the airstrip being located at the
Threemile site (Fig. 2-1).
3.2.4 Comparison of Action Alternatives
The three action alternatives were compared to deter-
mine the preferred alternative. The Congahbuna and
Threemile housing/airstrip options were then compared with
the Lone Creek option to determine whether either option
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Table 3-8
DIAMOND CHUITNA
Project Components and Options
Mine Location* - Fixed
Overburden Stockpile Location* -
Southeast
Mine Service Area* - South of
Mini ng Limi t
Transportation
a) Corridor/Portsite
1. Southern/Granite Point
2. Northern/Ladd
3. Eastern/Ladd
b) Mode* - Conveyor
Loading Facility* - Trestle
Worker Housing
a) Location
1. Lone Creek
2. Congahbuna
3. Threemile
b) Type* - Single Status
Airstrip* - New Construction
Water Supply* - Wells
Power Generation* - Purchase Gas
PROJECT ACTION
ALTERNATIVES
Action Alternatives
Southern/
Granite Pt
X
X
X
X
X
X
.. X
X
X
X
X
Northern/
Ladd
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Eastern/
Ladd
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Components with only one option.
-------
provided a significant advantage over the Lone Creek site
such that it could substitute for the Lone Creek option in
one or more of the alternatives. The analytical basis for
the comparisons in this section is provided in the detailed
impact discussions in Chapter 5.0. The reader is encouraged
to consult Chapter 5.0 for more extensive examination of the
major issues .
Evaluation criteria based on the ten issues identified
during scoping (Section 1.4) were developed bo compare the
three action alternatives and the housing options. The cri-
teria are shown in the first column of Table 3-9. For each
scenario, the evaluation criteria were applied separately to
each alternative to determine the relative values for the
total potential impacts for that alternative. It is impor-
tant to note bhat the "relative total impact value" assigned
to a given alternative for a specific criterion was derived
only by evaluation of that alternative relative to the other
alternatives for that scenario. The relative values used
were low, moderate, and high.
For example, using the third evaluation criterion (Table
3-9), i.e., "Minimize impacts to wildlife and wildlife
habitats," each alternative was analyzed from the standpoint
of its total potential for impacts to wildlife and wildlife
habitat and a relative value (compared to the other two
alternatives) was assigned. Only significant differences in
potential impacts were considered. Thus the
southern/Granite Point alternative had a relatively moderate
value for total potential wildlife and wildlife habitat
impacts compared to the northern/Ladd and eastern/Ladd
alternatives which had relative values of high and low,
respectively. Table 3-9 summarizes the relative total
impact values for each evaluation criterion. This allows a
consistent comparison of alternatives to be made.
It must be emphasized that while a particular alter-
native might be assigned a high relative total impact value
when compared with the other alternatives, it does not
necessarily mean that the alternative would have a high abso-
lute impact. In this chapter, therefore, alternatives were
assigned a total impact value relative to one another while the
actual significance of the alternatives' impacts are described
in Chapter 5.0.
Analysis showed that, because of the specific nature of
the project and the make-up of the action alternatives, most of
the significant potential impacts were associated directly with
activities at the mine and that there were relatively few
significant differences in potential impacts among the other
project components . Since all impacts associated directly with
the mine and its attendant operations were common to all alter-
natives, the comparison of alternatives process addresses only
potential impacts associated with the components of the project
other than the mine. The locations of the transportation
3-28
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Table 3-9
EVALUATION CRITERIA MATRIX
VALUES ASSIGNED TO THE
1.
2.
3.
4,
5.
6.
Evaluation
Criteria
Minimize risk of water
quality degradation and
alteration to flows
Minimize impacts to
fi sh and fish habitat
Minimize impacts to
wi Idl i fe and wi 1 dl i fe
habitats
Minimize potential
reclamation problems
Minimize impacts to set
net fishery
Minimize impacts to
Southern/
Granite Pt
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Moderate
SHOWING RELATIVE TOTAL
THREE ACTION ALTERNATI
Northern/
Ladd
Moderate
Moderate
High
Low
High
IMPACT
VES
Eastern/
Ladd
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
traditional subsistence
harvest activities High Low Low
7. Minimize social, cultural,
and economic impact upon
local residents Moderate Moderate Low
8. Minimize cumulative
regional use impacts Low Moderate Moderate
9. Minimize technical
complexity Low Low Low
10. Minimize cost No Data No Data No Data
3-29
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corridor, port site, and the housing and airstrip sites were
the only components creating significant differences in poten-
tial impacts among alternatives.
Water Quality
Potential water quality impacts were evaluated pri-
marily on the basis of the risk of petroleum product spills
and sediment production from road surfaces, pads, cuts,
fills, and stream crossings. No significant differences in
potential impacts were identified between the southern/
Granite Point and northern/Ladd alternatives. The eastern/
Ladd alternative would have fewer potential impacts since it
would be shorter and cross no major streams as would the
southern/Granite Point alternative. It would also cross
flatter terrain than either of the others. Therefore, the
southern/Granite Point and northern/Ladd alternatives were
assigned moderate relative total impacts values for water
quality while the eastern/Ladd alternative was assigned a
low value.
Fish
Potential impacts to fish and fish habitat were evalu-
ated primarily on the basis of the presence or absence of
fish, the number of stream crossings, and the value of
potentially affected streams for fish spawning, rearing or
migration.
No significant differences in potential impacts were
identified between the southern/Granite Point and northern/
Ladd alternatives. The eastern/Ladd alternative would have
fewer potential impacts since it would cross fewer streams
than the n'orthern/Ladd alternative and would cross no major
streams as' would the southern/Granite Point alternative. It
would also impact fewer lakes than either of the other
alternatives. Therefore, the southern/Granite Point and
northern/Ladd alternatives were assigned moderate relative
total impact values for fish while the eastern/Ladd alter-
native was assigned a lower value.
Wildlife
Potential impacts upon wildlife were evaluated pri-
marily on the basis of direct and indirect habitat loss
since potential impacts arising from interference with move-
ments across the corridors could be largely mitigated by
proper design, construction, and operation of animal
crossings .
The northern/Ladd alternative was considered to have
greater potential impacts than either of the others because
it is longer and would cross riparian habitat important to
brown bears feeding upon salmon. The southern/Granite Point
and northern/Ladd alternatives would have similar impacts to
3-30
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wetlands important to wildlife, but the eastern/Ladd alter-
native would cross fewer important wetlands than either of
them. The eastern/Ladd alternative, unlike the other two
alternatives, would also avoid eagle nests. Thus, the
eastern/Ladd alternative was assigned a low relative total
impact value while the southern/Granite Point and northern/
Ladd alternatives were assigned values of moderate and high,
respectively.
Reclamation
Essentially all of the major reclamation concerns iden-
tified during the scoping process were focused on the mine
and its surrounding area. Technology for successful recla-
mation of the other project components exists and has been
demonstrated to be effective for other Alaska projects.
Since reclamation procedures that would be used at the mine
and its surrounding area would be common to all three alter-
natives, no significant differences were identified among
the three alternatives for this criterion and all were
assigned a low relative total impact value.
Set_Net Fishery
Potential adverse impacts to the commercial set net
fisheries near the port sites were evaluated primarily on
the basis of interference with fish movements and existing
set net sites caused by the supply barge unloading facility,
the approach threstle, and coal vessel traffic.
The Ladd port site and supply barge unloading facility
were judged to have a significantly greater potential for
impact upon set net sites since they are located in the
midst of one of the most productive set netting areas' in
upper Cook Inlet. The Granite Point site would also impact
some set net sites, but to a lesser extent. Both the
northern/Ladd and eastern/Ladd alternatives were thus
assigned a high relative total impact value while the
southern/Granite Point alternative was assigned a moderate
value.
Subsistence
Potential subsistence impacts were evaluated primarily
on the basis of; 1) effects on access to, and use,of, tradi-
tional use areas; 2) changes in fish and wildlife abundance;
3) interference with fish and wildlife cycles or movements;
4) increased nonresident harvest of subsistence resources;
and 5) the possibility of increasingly restrictive harvest
regulations.
The southern/Granite Point alternative was judged to
have a significantly greater potential for impacts to sub-
sistence since the lower corridor and port site would be in
areas traditionally used for subsistence by residents of
3-31
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Tyonek while the other two alternatives are located in areas
with no significant subsistence use. Also, the southern/
Granite Point alternative would open access to the Chuitna
River to impacts on subsistence fish species. Therefore,
the southern/Granite Point alternative was judged to have a
high relative total impact while the northern/Ladd and
sastern/Ladd alternatives were judged to have low values.
Socioeconomics
No significant differences in socioeconoroic impacts to
Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula were identified among the
three alternatives. Potential socioeconomic impacts to
Tyonek were evaluated primarily on the basis of effects
upon: 1) local employment, 2) community population and
infrastructure, and 3) social and cultural values.
No significant differences were identified among the
three alternatives for local employment since Tyonek is con-
nected to the southern/Granite Point alternative by the
existing road system and a small vehicle bridge would be
built across the lower Chuitna River to provide access to
either of the two other alternatives. The social and
cultural impacts to residents of Tyonek would be similar for
any of the three alternatives. If the eastern/Ladd alter-
native were selected, however, it could give Tyonek a signi-
ficantly greater degree of control over the project and
would increase the applicant's accountability to the
community. Tyonek would also receive revenue from the
transportation corridor right-of-way lease. Therefore, the
eastern/Ladd alternative was assigned a low relative total
impact value while the southern/Granite Point and northern/
Ladd alternatives were assigned moderate values.
Regional Use
Potential impacts to regional use were evaluated pri-
marily on the basis of consolidation with existing facili-
ties, potential for other regional uses, and component size,
location, and adequacy for expansion.
The southern/Granite Point alternative would be closer
than the other two alternatives to areas most likely to be
developed in the future (e.g., the Placer U.S. Center Ridge
coal deposit west of the Diamond Chuitna project area).
This could have a positive effect upon the feasibility of
some potential developments since a crossing of the Chuitna
River would not be required to reach the port site as would
be necessary with either the northern/Ladd or eastern/Ladd
alternative.
The southern/Granite Point alternative would also con-
solidate with the existing road system and facilities in the
Granite Point area while the other alternatives would not
consolidate with existing facilities to the same extent.
This, however, was not judged to be significant.
3-32
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The southern/Granite Point alternative would be
constructed entirely on public land and the port site would
have ample room for expansion, thus likely making the corri-
dor and port site available to other potential users. The
northern and eastern corridors, however, would cross some
private lands which may not be available to future users.
Also, while the port site at Ladd is public land, the amount
of public land is not as large as at Granite Point, possibly
precluding expansion to accommodate other users and
requiring development of another port.
In the final analysis, the southern/Granite Point
alternative was judged to have a low relative total impact
value while the northern/Ladd and eastern/Ladd alternatives
were judged to have moderate values.
Techn ical Complexi,ty
Potential technical complexity impacts were evaluated
primarily on the basis of the availability of adequate tech-
nology and the relative complexity of design, construction,
and operation. Adequate technology presently exists to
design, construct, and operate all three alternatives. Both
port sites have shoals offshore which would need to be con-
sidered in navigating ships during operations. This was not
considered a significant cause for concern in either
situation. Therefore, all three alternatives were assigned
a low relative total impact value.
Cost
No comparative cost data for any of the three alter-
natives were made available by the applicant. Therefore, no
relative total impact values have been "assigned for this
criterion. '
3.2.5 Identification of Preferred Alternative
The comparison of alternatives process described above
assigned relative total impact values to the three action
alternatives for each of the ten evaluation criteria (Table
3-9). It should be remembered that when using relative
total impact values, the lower the value the better, i.e., a
lower value equates with a lower potential for adverse
impact. Inspection of Table 3-9 shows that for the nine
evaluation criteria for which data were available, seven
showed significant differences among the three alternatives:
water quality, fish, wildlife, set net fishery, subsistence,
socioeconomics, and regional use.
The eastern/Ladd alternative clearly had the lowest
overall relative total impact value. For five of the seven
criteria showing a significant difference among the alter-
natives, it received a low rating. Only for the set net
fishery criterion did it receive a high rating.
3-33
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While impacts to set netters from a port site at Ladd
could be significant, proper scheduling and operational
management at the port site would likely substantially
reduce or eliminate significant impacts to the fishery.
Such impacts probably would not occur from coal loading
operations at full production which would take place at the
end of the trestle over 3 km (1.8 mi) from shore, but rather
from the supply barge staging area on the beach adjacent to
the trestle. Since the set net sites are used only during
the fishing season, and then only on _certain days of the
week, proper scheduling of incoming supply barges to avoid
fishing openings and to accommodate local fishermen's tradi-
tional uses could likely avoid serious impacts.
On the basis of its having the least overall relative
total impact value and the capability of substantially
reducing or eliminating significant impacts to the lone cri-
terion (set net fishery) for which it received a high
rating, the eastern/Ladd alternative was identified as the
preferred alternative.
Whether the applicant could develop an eastern corri-
dor, however, is not certain. The corridor would cross pri-
vate land owned by TNC and to date, the applicant and TNC
have been unable to negotiate a right-of-way agreement.
Since there is no assurance that an eastern corridor could
be developed even though identified as the preferred alter-
native, the southern/Granite Point and northern/Ladd alter-
natives were further analyzed to determine the secondary
preferred alternative.
The southern/Granite Point 'and northern/Ladd alter-
natives showed significant differences in potential impacts
for four criteria: wildlife, set net fishery, subsistence,
and regional use (Table 3-9). The potential exists for
significantly greater impacts to the set net fishery for the
northern/Ladd alternative as discussed above for the
eastern/Ladd alternative. Proper scheduling and operational
management, however, would substantially reduce or eliminate
.such impacts.
The differences for the wildlife criterion were con-
sidered significant. The northern/Ladd alternative would
have greater adverse quantitative and qualitative habitat
impacts that could not be mitigated to eliminate those dif-
ferences .
For the subsistence criterion, the southern/Granite
Point alternative would have significantly greater adverse
impacts that could not be mitigated to eliminate the dif-
ferences. The northern/Ladd alternative would have very
limited impact on subsistence -values while the southern/
Granite Point alternative would be built through a signifi-
cant traditional use area.
3-34
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From the regional use perspective, the low potential
for adverse impacts for the southern/Granite Point alter-
native was considered a significant benefit. The size of
the area available for the port site at Granite Point as
well as its geographic location with respect to likely
future developments and the southern corridor's location
entirely on public land were considered to be significantly
better than for the northern/Ladd alternative.
Thus the lower potential for adverse impacts from the
southern/Granite Point alternative for the set net fishery,
wildlife and regional use criteria were countered by the
higher potential for impacts for the subsistence criterion.
Therefore, on an overall basis the southern/Granite Point
alternative was judged to have a lower potential for adverse
impacts than did the northern/Ladd alternative. Although
the preponderance of higher potential for adverse impacts to
the evaluation criteria from this comparison were attributed
to the northern/Ladd alternative, the potential effects upon
local residents from the higher impacts to subsistence from
the southern/Granite Point alternative were not lightly
dismissed. Thus, while the overall potential for adverse
impacts was judged higher for the northern/Ladd alternative,
it was not a clear cut difference.
3.2.6 Comparison of Housing/Airstrip Options
The three alternatives compared above all used the Lone
Creek site as the option for the housing and airstrip com-
ponents. Two other options were identified for those com-
ponents and are compared below to the Lone Creek site.
These are the Congahbuna and Threemile sites. The purpose
of this comparison was to determine whether either site pro-
vided a significant advantage over the Lone Creek site such
that it could be substituted for the Lone Creek option in
one or more of the alternatives.
The differences in impacts to the evaluation criteria
among all three housing/airstrip sites are described below.
For each criterion, the basis for the evaluations were the
same as those used above in comparing the three alternatives
(e.g., spill risk and sediment production for water quality,
direct and indirect habitat loss for wildlife, etc.). The
relative total impact values assigned to a criterion for
each housing/airstrip option are shown in Table 3-10.
Water Quality
No significant differences in potential water quality
impacts were identified for any of the three options.
Therefore, each was assigned a low relative total impact
value.
3-35
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Table 3-10
EVALUATION CRITERIA MATRIX SHOWING RELATIVE
VALUES ASSIGNED TO THE THREE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Evaluation
Criteria
H20 Quality
Fish
Wildlife
Reclamation
Set Net
Subsistence
Socioecononu'c
Regional Use
Technical Conplexity
Cost
Lone Creek
Low
Moderate
Low
Lew
Lew
Moderate
Low
Lew
Lew
No Data
TOTAL IMPACT
HOUSING OPTIONS
Congahbuna
Low
Low
Moderate
Lew
Low
High
Lew
Low
Lew
No Data
Threemile
Low
High
Moderate
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
No Data
-------
Fish
The Congahbuna site would have a lower impact than Lone
Creek since it is located at least 3.2 km (2 mi) from the
Chuitna River, thus making it more difficult for workers to
fish. The Threemile site would have a greater impact than
Lone Creek as its location would permit access to several
lakes or streams with fish. Thus, the Congahbuna site was
judged to have a low relative total impact value while the
Lone Creek and Threemile sites were judged to have values of
moderate and high, respectively.
Wildlife
Both the Congahbuna and Threemile sites would have a
greater impact upon waterfowl and swans than would the Lone
Creek site as they would be located close to areas used by
waterfowl and swans for breeding, resting, and some migra-
tion. Therefore, the Lone Creek site was assigned a low
relative total impact value while the Congahbuna and
Threemile sites were assigned moderate values.
Reclamation
Technology for successful reclamation of the housing
and airstrip facilities at any of the three sites exists and
has been demonstrated to be effective for other Alaska pro-
jects. Therefore, each of the sites was assigned a low
relative total impact value.
Set Net Fishery
No significant differences in potential impacts to the
set net fishery were identified for any of the sites.
Therefore, each of the sites was assigned a low relative
total impact value.
Subsistence
The Congahbuna site would have potential for signifi-
cantly greater impacts to subsistence than the Lone Creek
site as it would be located in an area of traditional sub-
sistence use. The Threemile site would have somewhat lower
potential for impact than the Lone Creek site since it would
be well removed from areas of traditional subsistence use.
Thus, the Congahbuna option was assigned a high relative
total impact value while the Lone Creek and Threemile
options were assigned moderate and low values, respectively.
S q c i g e c o n om i c s
Both the Congahbuna and Threemile options would have
somewhat less potential impact than the Lone Creek option
since there would be less fishing in the Chuitna River by
workers and the local fishing guides would not have as much
3-37
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competition for fish. This, however, was not considered to
be a significant difference. Therefore, all three options
were assigned low relative total impact values.
Regional Use
Future developments (e.g., coal) would be most likely
to take place to the northwest of the Diamond Chuitna pro-
ject area. The Congahbuna housing and airstrip site would
be closer to these potential development sites than would be
either Lone Creek or Threemile. Closer inspection, however,
shows that its distance from potential developments is great
enough that the site would not likely be used by other
developments in the region and thus any advantage over the
Lone Creek site probably would be negligible. Thus, all
three sites were judged to have a low relative total impact
value.
Technical Comp1ex it y
Adequate technology presently exists to design,
construct, and operate all three options. Therefore, all
three options were assigned a low relative total impact
value.
Cost
No comparative cost data for any of the three options
were made available by the applicant. Therefore, no rela-
tive total impact values have been assigned for this cri-
terion .
Identification ofPreferred Housing/Airstrip Option
The results of the comparison of housing/airstrip
options described above are shown in Table 3-10. There were
few significant differences among the three options. For
six of the nine criteria for which data were available, all
three options showed uniformly low relative total impact
values. For the three criteria for which significant dif-
ferences existed {fish, wildlife, and subsistence), both the
Congahbuna and Threemile options received alternately higher
and lower values than the Lone Creek option such that
neither emerged as having an overall significantly lower
potential for adverse impacts than the Lone Creek option.
For example, the Congahbuna option was judged to have values
of low and high, respectively, for the fish and subsistence
criteria while the Threemile option received values of high
and low, respectively, for the same criteria. The Lone
Creek option received moderate values for both criteria.
In final analysis, therefore, there was no basis for
substituting either the Congahbuna or Threemile housing/
airstrip options for the applicant's preferred option at
Lone Creek in any of the three alternatives.
3-38
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3.3 ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO THE AGENCIES
There are three alternatives available to EPA, the
Corps, DNR, and other state and local agencies through each
agency's permitting responsibilities. They can: 1) issue
permits as proposed with standard stipulations, 2) deny the
permits, or 3) issue the permits with stipulations tailored
to this project which address specific impacts. Generally,
the third alternative is preferable because it allows the
project to proceed while minimizing the unavoidable adverse
impacts.
Although it is not the purpose of this EIS to decide
what stipulations the agencies should impose, it is appro-
priate to review the relative advantages and effectiveness
of the various mitigation options which agencies may require
as permit stipulations. The major mitigation options
available to the agencies are discussed in Chapter 6.0.
3.4 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
The No Action Alternative means that development of the
Diamond Chuitna project would not occur. This alternative
may be used as a baseline to which the action alternatives
can be compared.
The No Action Alternative would result from denial of
one or more federal or state permits necessary for project
development or a decision by the applicant not to undertake
the project.
3-39
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Chapter 4.0
Affected Environment
-------
4.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
4.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the environment as it currently
exists without the proposed project, emphasizing those
environmental aspects of the Diamond Chuitna project area
that could be affected by the construction, operation, and
reclamation of the proposed mining and support facilities.
As required by federal (NEPA) regulations, these descrip-
tions stress the elements of the natural and human environ-
ments that are most likely to be impacted or which have been
identified as likely areas of concern through the scoping
process.
Much of the following information is derived from base-
line environmental investigations that were initiated in
1982 and largely completed in 1984. Some additional work
was done in 1986. The baseline study reports provide an
important source of detailed information and are on file at
the sites identified on page ii and in Section 7.7. The
following reports are incorporated by reference into this
EIS: ERT 1983, 1984a, 1984b, 1984c, 1984d, 1984e, 1984f,
1984g, 1985d, 1986; Gerlach and Lobdell 1984, 1986; Science
Applications, Inc. 1984; and Riverside Technology, Inc.
1986.
4.2 REGIONAL HISTORY AND LAND STATUS
The Beluga region was first settled by Tanaina Indians
who lived along the " coast in the general vicinity of the
present Native villa'ge of Tyonek. In 1934, the Moquawkie
Indian Reservation was established for the benefit of the
Natives living in the Tyonek area. In the early 1970s,
reservation status ended and the Natives chose to par-
ticipate as a village corporation under the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).
Exploration and development of natural resources have
produced the primary impacts on the region. Major oil and
gas exploration began in the early 1960s and included lands
within the Moquawkie Indian Reservation. The first major
permanent development in the region was the construction of
Chugach Electric Association's natural gas power plant at
Beluga which began operations in 1968 (Fig. 4-1).
The presence of coal outcrops in the region has been
known since the early 1900s. Shortly after statehood, a
major portion of the Beluga coal fields was selected by the
State of Alaska under the federal government's mental health
land grant entitlement. Coal exploration began in the 1960s
with the first leases issued in the late 1960s. A number of
coal leases exist in the region today (Fig. 4-1),
4-1
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BELUGA REGION LAND (SURFACE)
OWNERSHIP STATUS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-1
-------
In the mid-1970s, the State sold the salvage rights to
a large amount of beetle-killed spruce timber west of the
Tyonek Native Corporation lands. The ensuing logging opera-
tion established a road network in the area that ultimately
stretched west through the Trading Bay Wildlife Refuge and
across the Chakachatna River. The logs were trucked to a
new facility constructed on Tyonek Native Corporation land
at North Foreland where they were processed into wood chips
and loaded onto ships from an elevated trestle.
There are four major landowners in the region today
(Fig. 4-1). Most of the project area, including all the
Diamond Chuitna lease area, the Granite Point port site, and
about one-third of the southern transportation corridor, is
state land as is the Trading Bay State Game Refuge to the
south. In April 1985, a land use plan was adopted by DNR
which designated development of coal resources as the pri-
mary management objective for their lands in the Beluga
area. Most of the land east of the project area is owned or
selected by the Tyonek Native Corporation, while Cook Inlet
Region, Inc. (CIRI) owns the majority of the remainder of
the land on the northeast, north, and west. The Kenai
Peninsula Borough has either selected or received selection
approval to approximately 6,249 ha (15,440 ac) around the
southern portion of the southern transportation corridor
just north of the Granite Point port site. In addition, the
Borough owns approximately 1,416 ha (3,500 ac) along the
coast between the Beluga airstrip and the Chuitna River
including the Ladd port site. Title to the subsurface
estate under all state and most borough lands lies with the
State, while CIRI holds title to all subsurface estate under
its lands, those of the Tyonek Native Corporation, and some
borough lands. There are relatively few parcels of private-
ly owned land in the region.
4.3 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT
4.3.1 Physiography, Geology, and Soils
4.3.1.1 Physiography
The Beluga region lies between the Beluga River and the
Middle River and consists mainly of the broad Beluga Plateau
which is of generally low to moderate relief (Schmoll et al.
1984). Streams have dissected the overburden and underlying
sedimentary rock creating valleys ranging from a few tens of
feet to several hundred feet in depth. Elevations range
from about 49 m (160 ft) near the coast to about 427 m
(1,400 ft) near the northwestern edge of the lease area.
The study area has typical morainal* topography charac-
terized by irregular ridges and depressions (ERT 1985d).
The project area is flanked on the northwest by higher
portions of the plateau and adjoining foothills which rise
4-3
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westward toward the Alaska Range and, to the southwest, by
estuarine* and alluvial* lowlands of the Chakachatna-
McArthur embayment. South of the proposed mining area are
lowlands covered by extensive bogs and raarsnes with numerous
ponds and lakes. Areas near the larger streams are
generally well-drained. The Beluga region is drained pri-
marily by the Beluga and Chakachatna rivers, which are
glacier-fed, and the Chuitna River which heads on the Beluga
Plateau. In addition, several other streams, such as Tyonek
Creek, Old Tyonek Creek, and Nikolai Creek, drain directly
into Cook Inlet (ERT 1985d).
4.3.1.2 Geology
The primary regional geologic features in the area are
plutonic* and volcanic* rocks and ash deposits, sedimentary
rocks, and glacial deposits. Mount Spurr, an active volcano
of the Alaska-Aleutian batholith*, lies about 48 km (30 mi)
west of the site and has been active since at least Tertiary
times. Extensive ash deposition occurred from about 3,000
to 6,000 years ago. South and west of the site, extrusive*
and intrusive* igneous* rocks consisting primarily of
andesites*, granodiorites*, and volcanic breccias* of
Jurassic and Tertiary ages, and pyroclastics*, are exposed
over extensive areas (ERT 1985d).
The central portion of the Beluga Plateau, including
the project area, is characterized by a sedimentary plateau
mantled by Quaternary glacial deposits. The sedimentary
rocks consist of the Tertiary West Foreland Formation
(noncoal-bearing) and the overlying Kenai Group. The Kenai
Group consists of interbedded claystone, siltstone,
sandstone, and conglomerate with numerous coal beds. Coal
is also known to occur in the overlying Beluga Formation
(ERT 1985d).
The coal-bearing sedimentary rocks in the lease area
are part of the Tertiary Tyonek Formation of the Kenai
Group. The Tyonek Formation is a sequence of fluvial* and
.deltaic* clays, silts, and sands with occasional gravel beds
and coal seams. It is characterized by its extreme varia-
bility both laterally and vertically, with facies* and
thickness changes over very short distar..:es. Although at
least 18 coal ^aams (including stringers*) are known to
occur within the lease area, only four are thought to be of
adequate areal extent and thickness to be significant for
mining. The coals are of sub-bituminous* C rank, and are
v-'.*y low in sulfur content, ranging from 0.05 to 0.45 per-
cent sulfur (ERT 1985d).
Five major Pleistocene glacial advances have been
recognized in the Cook Inlet region? three of these have
contributed to surface deposits within the Beluga region.
All of the advances were characterized by dominant advances
from the base of the Alaska Range at the northwest, toward
4-4
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lesser advances from the Kenai Peninsula on the southeast
(ERT 1985d).
Thicker Quaternary deposits in the region include the
embayment deposits* in the Chakachatna-McArthur River area
and the Bootlegger Cove clay (ERT 1985d).
Composition of overburden, interburden, and coal seams
have been extensively analyzed for plant growth suitability
and water quality projections. Table 4-1 illustrates the
average physiochemical characteristics of overburden and
interburden material that would be encountered during
mining. Sufficient quantities of selected parameters are
present which accounts for the existing slightly elevated
water quality concentrations discussed in the water quality
section.
4.3.1.3 Seismology
Two major faults trend northeastward across the region:
the Lake Clark fault to the north and the Bruin Bay fault to
the south. They are believed to converge within 16 km (10
mi) northeast of the proposed mining site. There is a
potential for seismic events ranging from the severe 8.5
Richter magnitude* earthquake of 1964 to short-duration,
low-magnitude tremors that occur commonly throughout the
Cook Inlet region (ERT 1985c).
During the 1964 earthquake, the Cook Inlet region
experienced a variety of ground failures including slumping
of surficial deposits toward steep unconfined slope faces,
ground-water extrusion of sand and gravel, and landslides on
gentle to moderate slopes resulting in tensional cracking
and pressure ridges. These effects occurred near the
Diamond Chuitna project area which was near the line of zero
land level change (ERT 1986). According to the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, the project area is located within
Seismic Risk Zone* 4. This designation applies to areas
that could be affected by earthquakes having a magnitude of
7 producing a peak acceleration of 0.4 gravity.
4.3.1.4 Soils
Surficial materials in the project area generally con-
sist of alluvium, peat, and glacial deposits (non-homogene-
ous mixtures of clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles, and
boulders) and minor amounts of loess* and volcanic ash.
Alluvium is primarily found along stream drainages and con-
sists of poorly-sorted cobbly sand to well-sorted sand and
silt. Alluvial deposits are generally shallow, ranging from
3 to 9 m (10 to 30 ft). Peat deposits are found in
depressions in the glacial deposits. They are characterized
by accumulations of organic matter in various stages of
decomposition, frequently interbedded with compacted sandy
materials. Upland mineral soils are generally organic-rich
4-5
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TABLE 4-1
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOCHEHICAL CHARACTERISTICS ACROSS
NINETEEN BRILL HOLES IN THE DIAMOND CHUIINA MINE AREA
Statistic
c
o
,
"4 "4
** m
>, u
a. a:
0.01 0.03
0.005 0.005
0.05 0.19
06 86
Ma K
meghOOg
2.79 2.30
0.17 0.08
12.40 11.80
64 64
NH4
+ Total
Se Hg Zn fe Mn Cu Cd Pb Ni Cr Be P N05 N
ppm %
Mean 0.01 0.10 10.76 119.03 20.28 6.50 0.25 3.16 5.09 0.23 0.01 2.10 14.73 0.15
Minimum 0.01 0.01 0.07 0.10 O.B4 0.22 0.22 0.05 0.12 0.05 0.00 0.30 4.30 0.01
Maxinim 0.01 0.67 312.00 1760.00 101.00 21.50 2.47 10.70 83.00 1.50 0.03 12.50 60.30 0.91
Observations 196 197 229 229 229 229 229 229 229 229 229 191 63 62
Source: ERI 1985C
-------
and are typically underlain by glacially-derived soils at
depths of 76 to 114 cm (30 to 45 in) (ERT 1985d).
From the agronomic point of view, the soils of the pro-
ject area are composed of numerous series* that represent
both organic and mineral profiles (Soil Conservation Service
1980). The relationship between soils and vegetation for
the project area is shown on Table 4-2. General profile
characteristics of soil units are listed in Table 4-3.
Upland soils include the Talkeetna series which con-
sists of several sandy loam variants. The soils are
loessal and volcanic in origin and overlie glacial till.
Other mineral soils are associated with alluvium along
streams and primarily include the Killey-Moose River
complex, although Cryaquents and Histosols were also mapped
on alluvial floodplains and sandbars (Table 4-2) (ERT
1984d).
Poorly drained organic soils dominate much of the pro-
ject area. Starichkof taxadjunct and Chichantna soils are
associated with decomposed peat and muskeg (Table 4-3) .
Starichkof peats are similar to the Starichkof-Chichantna
soils, comprised of peat with thin layers of volcanic ash,
but occur primarily near the coast. Jacobsen mucky fine
sand occurs on muskeg perimeters and poorly drained swales.
Thus, this series is closely associated with the Starichkof
organic soils prominent in bogs and the wetter areas of
muskeg.
4.3.2 Vegetation
4.3.2.1 Plant Communities
The vegetation of the project area is broadly charac-
terized as closed spruce-hardwood forest (Viereck and Little
1972) and as bottomland spruce-poplar forest, high brush,
and wet tundra (Joint Federal State Land Use Planning
Commission for Alaska 1973). A complex of forest, woodland,
and shrub communities has been identified within these
broader life-form types by an interagency vegetation inven-
tory (U.S. Forest Service - U.S. Soil Conservation Service
1982) and by a baseline investigation specific to the pro-
posed Diamond Chuitna mine lease and transportation corridor
(ERT 1984gj.
Table 4-2 lists the major vegetation units for the pro-
ject area. Forests are formed by both open (25 to 75 per-
cent tree cover) and closed (more than 75 percent tree
cover) deciduous stands, or a mixture of deciduous and coni-
ferous species. (Scientific names of dominant plant species
as determined by mean foliar cover percentage are listed in
Table 4-2.) Open broadleaf balsam poplar forests occur pri-
marily on alluvium of stream channels. White spruce usually
occurs as young trees or seedlings in the understory of this
4-7
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Table A-2
MAJOR VEGETATION uMITS AND COMMUNITY TYPES AND ASSOCIATED SOIL SERIES
OT THE DIAMOND-CHUITNft PROJECT AREA
Major Vegetation Units^
Forest
Closed Paper Birch 8roadieaf
To rest
jen Balsam Poplar Broadls
Forest
Open Mixed Birch-Spruce forest
Woodland
Mixed Spruce-Birch Maodland
Needleleaf Black Spruce
>toodland
Shrubland
Closed Tall Alder 5hrt±> Scrii
Open !all Willow Shrub Scrub
Open Low Sweetgale Shrub Scrub/
Grass Fen
Herbaceous
!*3ic Craninoid Bluejoint
Hecbaceo-us
Characteristic Coiwiu." it
Betuia papyrifera/Oplopanax horridus/
Cyatopteris spp.
Paper Dirch/devil's club/bladder-fern
Popuius balsamifera/Alnus tenuif o 1 ia-
v iburnum edule/Calamaqroatis canadenais-
Polypodium sp.
Balsam poplar/thinleaf alder-highbLsh
cranberry/blue joint feedgr ass- polypody
fern
OB tula papyri fera-P icea giauca/Menziesia
Ferruginea/Polypodium sp.
Paper birch-white spruce/rusty menziesia/
polypody fern
3etula papyri fera-Pj._cea qlauca/Alnus
sinuata-Salix novae-angliae/Calaniagroatia
canadensis
Paper birch-white spruce/Sitka alder-tall
blueberry willow/bluejoint reedgraaa
Picea mariana/Vaceiniutn uliqinosunv-EmpBtrurn
nigrum/Rubua pedatya-Eoyisetun arvenae
Slack s price/bog blueberry-black crowberry/
five-leaf branble-field horsetail
tenuifolia-A. s in uat a/C alamagrost is
canadensis-Polypodium sp,
Thinieaf aider-Sitka alder/bluejoint
reedgrass-palypody fern
Sa_j_i_x nova-anqliae-5. glanifoiia/C alama-
grost is canadensia-Rubus arcticus
Tall blueberry nil low-diamonaleaf w
oluejoint reedgrass-nangoonberry
Hyrica qale/Ca_rex aquat il is-E leocharis
palustria
Swee to ale/ water sedge- spikerush
Associated Soil Series
Hjtnala (Typic Cryorthods)2
Killey (Typic Cryaquents)
canadensia-E pilobium
anqustifoliure-Equiaetuin arvense
81 us joint reedgraaa-willow weed- field
horsetail
f4itnala ( Typxc Cryorthods) '_
Spenard (Sideric Cryaquads)^
Jacobsen (Histic Cryaquepts)
f-titnala (Typic Cryorthods)'
Talkeetna (Huraic Cryorthods)
Spenard {Sideric Cryaquads)^
Jacobsen (Histic Cryaquepts)
Starichkof (Fluvaquentic
Borochemist s)
Kliston (fypic Cryaquods)*
Talkcetna (Humic Cryortnods)
Kliston (Typic Crgaquods)
Talkeetna (Humic Gryort-Tids)
Starichkof (Fluvaquentic
Borosaprists)
Mutnala (Typic Cryorthods)^
Talkeetna (Humic Crjorthods)
Killey 4 Msose River (Typic
Cryaquents}
Vollows Viereck et al. (1982).
'These soil types were not mapped within the lease area.
Source: ERF 1984g.
4-8
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TABLE 4-3
CHAmCTERISTICS OF THE MAJOR SOIL UNITS OP THE
DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT AREA
Soil. Unit
Talkeetna
Variant
Killey Series
Moose River
Series
Jacobsen
Series
Chichantna
Series
Star-ichkof
Taxadjunct
Cryaquents-
Histosols
Complex
Major Profile Characteristics Drainage pH
Deep (to 1.5 m [60 in]) sandy Well 4.2-4.6
loams with volcanic ash over-
lying gravelly glacial till
on morainic uplands
Silt loam in alluvial sedi- Poor Acidic
ments overlying gravelly
substrata, 76-102 cm (30-40 in}
Stratified coarse alluvium over Poor Acidic
sandy - gravelly substrata
(102 on [40 in])
Deep (86 on [34 in]) fine to Poor 3.8-4.7
coarse sand over glacial till
mixed with volcanic ash; very
acidic
Deep (66 cm [26 in]) peat w/ Poor to 5.3-4.7
coarser peat volcanic ash very.poor
inclusions, interbedded coarse
sand at depth
Moderately decomposed coarse Very poor 5.1-3.9
and fine peat with interbedded
volcanic ash
t
Cryaquents-stratified sand, Poor to
sandy loams and silt loams over- very poor
lying coarse sand and gravel
alluvium
Histosols-deep peat, mucky peat Very poor Acidic
and muck with some stratified
mineral inclusions
-------
community (ERT 1984g). A similarly stru -ured community is
formed by paper birch on upland slopes and knolls. Again,
white spruce is apparent in the understory. A more advanced
stage in the paper birch to spruce succession is represented
by a mixed white spruce-black spruce and paper birch
woodland comm -.y. This type is associated with upland
knolls and s s and is abundant throughout the project
area.
Woodlands (less than 25 percent tree cover) are found
near black spruce on the perimeter of fens and sphagnum bogs
on poorly drained soils. A mixture of white spruce and
paper birch forms a second woodland community, but on
uplands and slopes that have been disturbed (e.g., burned).
This community is especially prominent north of the Chuitna
River.
Alder thickets and willow stands are a conspicuous com-
ponent of the vegetation in the project area. Thinleaf and
Sitka alders form a dense tall shrub community on upland
knolls and steep slopes, especially above 200 m (656 ft)
e -.-•ation. A second tall shrub community is formed by tall
: .: cherry willow and diamondleaf willow along the major
.earn course-• of the area.
Low shruo-grass fen vegetation of sweetgale and sedges
occurs -s part of the muskeg-bog complex on poorly drained
soils. This vegetation is scattered throughout the project
area but is especially prominent south of the Chuitna River.
A bluejoint grassland community is associated with openings
in the white spruce-paper birch forest that has resulted
from logging and beetle kill of trees (ERT 1984g). This
community is considered early successional and is rich in
herbaceous flora (Table 4-2). Logging activity has been
especially prominent south of the Chuitna River, although
recent harvesting has also occurred north of the river (ERT
1984g) .
4.3.2.2 Threatened and Endangered Plant Species
No threatened or endangered plant species are known to
occur in the vicinity of the Diamond-Chuitna project area
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1984). Furthermore, no
candidate threatened, endangered, or rare plant species is
known to occur in this area (Murray 1980).
4.3.2.3 Wetlands
It has been nationally recognized that wetland habitats
are a particular :.y valuable ecological resource and an
integral part c: 'egional hydrological regimes. Because of
these special . ..ues and vulnerability to development ac-
tivity, wetlands were granted special regulatory status via
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers has been delegated the responsibility of
4-10
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regulating the discharge of dredged or fill material into
wetlands. Wetlands are treated as a separate section in
this report in order to emphasize their special values. The
regulatory definition of wetlands found in 33 CFR 323.2
Para, c is as follows:
"those areas that are inundated or saturated by
surface or ground water at a frequency and dura-
tion sufficient to support and that under normal
circumstances do support a prevalence of vegeta-
tion typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps,
marshes, bogs and similar areas."
Wetlands within the project area have been mapped as
part of the National Wetland Inventory Program (USFWS 1984).
More detailed maps of wetlands within the southern transpor-
tation corridor, Granite Point port site, and 10-year mine
permit area are also available. ERT (1984g) identified nine
wetland types within the above area (Table 4-4). The per-
centage of total surface area covered by wetland communities
within the study area has not been precisely determined, but
is probably in the range of 20 to 30 percent. Of the nine
wetland types identified by ERT, open low shrub
scrub/sweetgale grass fen was the most common, especially
south of the Chuitna River, where it comprised nearly 50
percent of total wetlands. Open mixed forest wetland
occupied 30 percent in this area, with seven other types
comprising the remaining 20 percent. North of the Chuitna
River, open mixed forest wetland appeared more common than
open low shrub scrub/sweetgale fen, although both clearly
were more dominant than any other wetland type.
.Bogs composed of a complex of the above palustrine*
wetland types are common within the study area. Typically,
the wetter areas are characterized by various proportions of
emergent grasses and sedges and woody shrubs which grade
into forested wetland types at the edge of the muskeg areas.
Often open water areas are present near the center of the
wetland depressions. Estuarine salt marsh and mud flat
wetland types are not present within the study area but do
exist in the adjacent Trading Bay State Game Refuge.
Based on federal regulations (40 CFR 230) and scien-
tific analysis, wetland values in the project area are
viewed in four broad categories. The following is a
discussion for each of the value categories in order to pro-
vide a basis for assessing the wetland impacts that could
result from the proposed activities.
Food Chain Production
Some kinds of wetland communities are known to produce
large quantities of plant matter compared to other biologi-
cal systems (Darnell et al. 1976). However, the isolated
4-11
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Table 4-ft
WETLAND CHARACTERISTICS IN THE HOC LEASE AREA, SOUTHERN TRANSPORATION CORRIDOR, AND TORI
FW5
gymbo.1.1
PF04/1
PFQ4
Class
Subclass2
Dominant Vegetation^
Water Regime
PS51/EMS
R30WH
LIQHH
-alustrine
Forested
Mixed needle- leaved
evergreen/ broad-
leaved deciduous
?alustrine
Forested
Nfeedle-lea/ed
evergreen
Palustrine
Scrub/Shrub
Broad- leaved
dec id in us
Palustrine
Scrub/ Shrub
Broad- leaved
dec id ID us
Em erg an I
Use row- leaved
Persistent
Palustrine
Emergent
Narrow-leaved
Persistent
Riverine
Upper perennial
Ope n wa • ••; •
Lacustrine
Limnetic
Open Mater
Lacustrine
Littoral
Aquatic Bed
Float ing- leaved
Open water
Ct>en Mixed Forest/Spruce
BirchjMixed Wbodland/Spruce
*edle-leaf Wood land/ Black
Spruce
Open Tall Shrub Scrub/Willow;
Closed Tall Shrub Scrub/Alder
Qpen Low Shrub Scrub/Sweet-
gal e-Gr ass Fen
sa'/jrated to semi-permanentl y
f joed
saturated to semi-peniianently
flooded
saturated to semi-permanently
Flooded
saturated to semi-pennanently
flooded
Mesic Craminoid Herbaceous/
BluEjoint-Herb
ytricularia spp.,
spp., iNuphar spp.
spp.,
Utrlcularia spp,, Sphagnum
spa.t Nuphar spp., Nymphaea
-pp., Potamageton spp.
saturated to semi-permanentl y
fl ooded
permanent
permanent
permanent
permanent
. conform to those used in National Wetlands Inventory (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1981)
in et al, 1979
d from ERT 19Wg
4-12
-------
palustrine wetlands characteristic of the study area cannot
be considered highly productive and probably have a lower
net primary productivity* than the adjoining upland forests
(Good et al. 1978). Nevertheless, these wetlands contri-
bute substantially to the net production of organic matter
that supports other ecosystem components. The plant matter
produced enters the food web in a number of ways. Some ani-
mals such as insects and other invertebrates, bears, moose,
and waterfowl feed directly on the vegetation. A portion of
the vegetation, especially in the emergent sedge/grass com-
munities, dies and becomes part of a decomposing mass which
is consumed by bacteria and fungi which in turn is fed upon
by invertebrates. ' Cones produced by the black spruce com-
munities at the edges of the bogs provide a specific food
source for red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and some
birds.
Habitat for Land and Aquatic Species
The wetland habitats within the study area provide
openings and habitat diversity within the predominantly
forested terrain and consequently enhance the value of the
area to key species such as moose (A Ices alces) and black
bear (Ursus americanus). Ponds within the wetland
depressions contribute some limited habitat for waterfowl.
Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) as well as some shorebirds
and songbirds utilize the muskeg areas for nesting and
feeding.
Hydrology and Water Quality
Wetlands within the study area play an important role
in the storage of water and the recharge of shallow ground-
water aquifers (ERT 1984c). Water held in the deep organic
material contributes to surface water flow in local streams.
This storage capacity tends to buffer surface runoff and
moderate stream flows. Enhanced winter stream flows due to
ground-water input and moderate peak flows are important to
successful fish production in the Chuitna River and other
drainages.
Marsh and muskeg wetlands can contribute to flow of
nutrients within freshwater and marine environments.
Chemical reactions that occur during the process of decay
within organic matter underlying wetlands cause nutrients
such as nitrogen and phosphorous to be released into the
water. Surface drainage distributes these nutrients to
aquatic habitats. Wetlands also serve to purify waters of
some trace elements and organic compounds by accumulation
within the organic matter.
4-13
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Recreational Use
Recreational use of wetlands within the Diamond Chuitna
project area is low and incidental to a- a-wide activities
such as moose hunting. Coastal wetlar .outh of the pro-
ject area in Trading Bay State Game R receive some use
by waterfowl hunters. The limited a-.-.as and subsistence
orientation of local residents precludes heavy recreational
use.
4.3.3 Wildlife
4.3.3.1 Birds
Three groups of birds are of particular interest in the
project area: waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors.
Waterfowl
Although it is flanked by important waterfowl breeding
and migration areas on the south (Trading Bay State Game
Refuge) and the east (Susitna Flats State Game Refuge), the
project area itself contains relatively poor breeding and
staging habitat for ducks and geese. Only a small area
northeast of Congahbuna Lake and the bog area west of the
Beluga Power Station provide significant habitat for
breeding ducks (ERT 1983). During spring and fall migra-
tion, waterfowl (mainly mallards, greenwinged teal, and pin-
tails) occur in fair numbers at the mouth of the Chuitna
River and on mudflats east of the Beluga airstrip. However,
neither area appears to be significant compared to other
areas utilized by migrating waterfowl in Cook Inlet (ERT
1986).
The project area is of minor importance to migrating
trumpeter swans (Olor buccinator), but it is bordered by
important resting and feeding areas used during migration.
The mine permit area and the upper portions of all trans-
portation corridor options are seldom frequented by trum-
pe±er • swans, but one active nest site was found in 1983
adjacent to the Chuitna River crossing in the proposed
southern transportation corridor (Fig. 4-4). The lower
portion of the southern corridor falls within a broad band
of swan nesting habitat that stretches from the Beluga River
to Nikolai Creek, extending inland approximately 8 km (5 mi)
from Cook Inlet (Fig. 4-2). This area includes 50 percent
of the swan nesting sites within the Beluga Region (ERT
1984f). Surveys in 1986 revealed that bet-.er swan nesting
habitat and greater swan use occurs nortn of the Chuitna
River rather than along the river itself (ERT 1986).
With the exception of the portion of the southern
transportation corridor option just north of Granite Point,
the project area is not important for sandhill cranes CGrus
canadensis) . The area north of Granite Point may support
4-14
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Chugach ElecJ-ric
Beluga Power Station
1 '
Tyonek
North Foreland
Trading Bay Refuge
LEGEND
o Bald Eagle Nest Sites
* Trumpeter Swan Nest Sites
SOURCE:ERT 1984, 1986
Granite Point
BALD EAGLE AND
TRUMPETER SWAN NEST SITES
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 4- 2
-------
two or three breeding pairs (ERT I984f). There have been
many sightings of cranes in Trading Bay State Game Refuge
where a breeding pair was reported in 1981 (DOWL 1981).
Shorebirds
The project area itself is not important for migrating
or breeding shorebirds or other wateroirds, but is bordered
by important migration areas. The mudflats between Granite
Point and Nikolai Creek, just west of the proposed Granite
Point port area, are very important for migrating shorebirds
(ERT 1984f). Migrating shorebirds are common at the mouth
of the Chuitna River and on the mudflats east of the Beluga
airstrip (ERT 1986).
Raptors
The most common raptor in the project area is the bald
eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) . Eagles are found along
the coast and the Chuitna River as far upstream as Chuit
Creek during the spring, summer, and fall. They are less
common along the major tributaries of the Chuitna in the
mine permit area, but are regularly seen there feeding on
dead salmon during the July through October spawning period
(ERT 1984f) .
Within the study area, 16 bald eagle nests have been
located on or near three major waterways (Fig. 4-2). Seven
nests are located on the Beluga River (only four of which
are within the area depicted in Fig. 4-2), seven on the
Chuitna River, four are on or near Nikolai Creek, and one is
on the east side of Tukallah Lake. Only two nests, one on
the north side . of the Chuitna River near the proposed
southern transportation corridor crossing and the second on
the east side of Tukallah Lake, are located within the pro-
ject area itself (Fig. 4-4)(ERT 1984f; Dalton 1987).
Passerines
Songbird habitat in the project area (including the
transportation corridors and proposed port site) is typical
of that found throughout southcentral Alaska. Common spe-
cies include Swainson's thrush, alder flycatcher, ruby-
crowned kinglet, orange crowned warbler, yellow-rumped
warbler, blackpoll warbler, and dark-eyed junco. Most of
these species nest in the area, particularly in spruce/birch
forest and wet meadow habitats,
4.3.3.2 Mammals
Four species of mammals are of particular concern in
the project area because of their economic, ecological, or
cultural importance: moose (AIces aIces), brown bear (Ursus
arctos) , black bear (Ursus americanus), and beaver (Castor
canadensis).
4-16
-------
Moose
Moose are common throughout the study area in spring,
summer, and fall. Most calving takes place between the
middle of May and the middle of June in the lowland bog and
open, mixed spruce/hardwood communities below 152 m (500
ft). A majority of cows with calves remains in the area all
summer because of the abundant vegetation. During that
period, a sizable portion of the population, primarily bulls
and cows without calves, follows the receding snowline to
the open upland shrub/tundra communities above timberline
(above 381 m [1,250 ft]). These animals remain there until
forced down to lower elevations near the coast and along the
main stem of the Chuitna River by deep snow in November and
December (ERT 1984f).
During the rut* (October/November), moose concentrate
in small groups at higher elevations in the study area. One
such rutting area is located south of Lone Ridge in the
vicinity of Denslow Lake and the northern portion of the
mine permit area (Fig. 4-3) (Faro 1985a).
In late winter, moose concentrate in the lowland flats
on the south side of the Beluga River for a distance of
approximately 16 km (10 mi) upriver from the mouth (Fig.
4-3). Moderate numbers of moose appear to inhabit a 3.2 to
6.4 km (2 to 4 mi) wide band stretching south from the mouth
of the Beluga River along the coast of Cook Inlet to the
vicinity of the Nikolai Creek escarpment and Congahbuna
Lake. Small numbers of scattered moose range upstream to
above the confluence of Chuit Creek in the riparian* willow
habitats along the main stem of the Chuitna River. Small
numbers are also found along most of Lone Creek and in the
lower 3.2 to 4.8 km (2 to 3 mi) of Stream 2003. There
appears to be little late winter use of the mine permit area
by moose (ERT 1984f).
Moose wintering in the vicinity of Granite Point appear
to spend a major portion of other seasons within the project
area, including the mine permit area (Faro 1985a) . A winter
moose census within the study area in February 1984 esti-
mated a population of 792 moose within the 1,343 km2 (518.5
mi2) area between the Beluga River and Nikolai Creek, or
approximately 0.6 moose per km2 (1.5 moose per mi2) within
the study area (Faro 1985a).
Brown Bear
Brown bears may be found throughout the study area
during the spring, summer, and fall. They are likely to be
found in any vegetative cover type, but generally prefer
open habitats and are most common in the upland shrub and
tundra communities. Brown bears are not as common in the
lowlands adjacent to Cook Inlet as are black bears (ERT
1984£) .
4-17
-------
Susitna Flats
Wildlife Refuge
lenslow Lake
Chugach Elec
Beluga Power/staii
o \®
_.
Tyonek Native
RIVER
"X
Corporation
Congahbuna
Lake
Trading Bay
Refufla
North Foreland
Granite Point
LEGEND
Rutting Concentrations
Miles
SOURCE: Faro 1984
// Wintering Areas
/s
MOOSE RUTTING CONCENTRATIONS (OCT/83)
AND WINTERING AREAS (FEB/84)
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
4-18
FIGURE 4-3
-------
Food availability significantly influences brown bear
distribution in the study area. Emerging grasses and her-
baceous plants are critical to bears during the late spring
period after leaving their dens and during early summer.
From late July until as late as October, the availability of
spawning salmon draws bears to the streams, often over long
distances. The main stem of the Chuitna River within the
project area is used very little by bears. The three major
tributaries in or adjacent to the mine permit area (Lone
Creek and streams 2003 and 2004), however, show substantial
use by bears feeding upon salmon {ERT 1984f). In general,
brown bears tend to predominate in the more open mid-level
sections of these creeks while in the lower, more brushy and
timbered portions, black bears appear to be more common.
However, both species feed upon salmon in both areas.
Seasonally, bears seerti to be dispersed along the meandering,
mid-elevation sections of the three creeks with no par-
ticular concentration areas identified (ERT 1984f).
In late July, berries become available and may consti-
tute the bulk of the diet, particularly in years of heavy
crops. Ripe berries can often attract bears away from
accessible and abundant supplies of salmon (Erickson 1965).
Brown bears enter their dens in October or November
depending upon the onset of winter. Dens are usually
located at higher elevations and bears remain there until
late April or May. No specific information is available on
den site distribution nor does any accurate estimate exist
for the size of the brown bear population in the study area.
The brown bear population appears to be typical for rela-
tively undisturbed coastal areas in southcentral Alaska.
Black Bear
Black bears may be found throughout the study area at
any time of year, but they seem to prefer open, mixed
hardwood/spruce forests at the lower elevations between Cook
Inlet and tiraberline. They are commonly seen along streams
and in and around bogs and clearings. Black bears do not
appear to spend much time above timberline in the study
area.
They generally eat the same spring and early summer
herbaceous plant species as described above for brown bear,
but they use a greater diversity of species. In early May,
black bears feed on the emerging green vegetation found
around water seeps at the base of the bluff on the north
side of the canyon on the main stem of the Chuitna River
(ERT 1984f). Also, black bears may be significant predators
on moose calves in late spring (Miller and McAllister 1982).
Major factors affecting summer and fall black bear
distribution are the abundance and distribution of berries
and.salmon. Since much of the salmon spawning takes place
4-19
-------
at lower elevations within their home ranges, black bears in
the study area probably travel shorter distances to the
streams than do brown bears (ERT 1984f). Black bears are
found at lower elevations in the fall than are brown bears;
denning probably also occurs at lower elevations in the
mixed spruce/hardwood forests. No accurate estimate exists
for the size of the black bear population in the study area,
but it is probably relatively high.
Beaver
Beaver are widely distributed in the study area, from
lowlands near Cook Inlet to the upland tundra/shrub communi-
ties at 503 m (1,650 ft) on top of Lone Ridge. They are
nost common along the major tributaries of the Chuitna River
that have a low gradient (Lone Creek and streams 2003 and
2004) and in sloughs and backwater areas along the main stem
of the Chuicna (Fig. 4-4), Beaver dams are a very impor-
tant influence on the distribution of spawning and rearing
salmon in the Chuitna River tributaries of the project area
(ERT 1984f) .
Beaver, cache* counts show that Lone Creek has the
highest number (0.70) of caches per km (1.13 per mi) of the
tributary streams within the project area, followed by
Stream 2004 with .49/km (.79/mi) and Stream 2003 with .26/km
(.43/mi). The Lone Creek and Stream 2003 drainages also
have several active lake colonies (ERT 1984f; .
Two beaver colonies are located on Old Tyonek Creek
within or immediately adjacent to the southern transporta-
ti'- i corridor option and two more colonies exist on the
large lake 1.6 km (1.0 mi) southeast of Congahbuna Lake.
There are o known colonies on Tyonek Creek within the
southern corridor nor in the Granite Point port area. Ten
active beaver colonies occur just north of the Chuitna River
ERT 1986).
4-.-3. 3.3 Threatened and Endangered Species
Use of the study area by threatened or endangered
wildlife has not been documented. The only endangered spe-
cies which may be found in the area is a subspecies of the
pe; -grine falcon (Falco peregrinus anaturn). The project
area is at the extreme southern end of the range of this
species and no suitable habitat nor any individuals have
oeen located by surveys (ERT 1984f).
4.3.4 Habitat Valueand Sensitivity
A habitat mapping and evaluation study was conducted
specifically for this EIS to provide a basis for comparing
habitat impacts from project alternatives as well as com-
paring pre- and postproject habitat values. Specific evalu-
4-20
-------
LEASE AREA
BOUNDERY
NORTHERN
CONVEYOR
EASTERN
COMVEYOR
KEY
• BEAVER COLONY
LON
CREEK
•iOUSING
AREA
SOUTHERN
CONVEYOR
SCALE IN MILES
1/2 1
SOURCE; ERT 1984!
MINE AREA BEAVER COLONIES (OCTOBER 19835
FIGURE 4-4
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
4-21
-------
ation species were selected that have high public interest
or serve as indicator species for habitats having signifi-
cant ecological value. Evaluation species were moose, brown
bear, black bear, trumpeter swan, and sandhill crane.
Methods and results of the analysis are summarized below and
presented in detail in Appendix A.
The habitat value categories used in the analysis
(Appendix A, Table 1) roughly correspond with categories in
the USFWS Mitigation Policy (FR Vol. 46 No. 15, 23 Jan.
1981). In general, none of the habitats in the project area
would be considered to have "very high" value (unique and
irreplaceable) relative to the key species. However, some
habitats with values in the "high" range are present.
Mapping of moose spring/summer/fall range (Appendix A,
Fig. 7) indicates that the mixed woodland/muskeg terrain
that covers the area is predominately medium quality with
scattered areas of high quality shrub habitat in some
riparian and adjoining zones, especially in the vicinity of
Old Tyonek Creek. Moose winter habitat (Appendix A, Fig. 9)
is limited by snowfall to the southwest portion of the study
area at elevations less than 152 m (500 ft). Within this
lower elevation area, winter habitat value is primarily
medium with some scattered high quality areas interspersed.
It should be noted that the Appendix A habitat evaluation is
based on habitat characteristics rather than actual animal
distribution. Moose studies have indicated that winter con-
centrations occur along the coast (Fig. 4-3) within habitats
rated from low to high value. Therefore, impact analyses
should consider both animal distribution and modelled habi-
tat value when assessing impact significance.
According to the models used in Appendix A, nearly all
of the study area provides high quality habitat for both
black and brown bears (Appendix A, Fig. 5). A few scattered
areas of medium quality brown bear habitat are also present.
Sandhill cranes represent a somewhat different
situation. Little information is available upon which to
base habitat ratings. The study area was divided into
suitable and unsuitable (not utilized) areas (Appendix A,
Fig. 1). All suitable areas were considered to have high
value for cranes. Suitable areas are scattered throughout
the southwest portion of the study area within selected
wetlands at elevations below 152 m (500 ft).
Trumpeter swan nesting habitat is limited to lakes.
Lakes within the study area are rated as high, medium, or
low value swan habitat (Appendix A, Fig. 3). High quality
lakes are primarily north of the Chuitna River at lower ele-
vations .
From the standpoint of sensitivity to impacts from
development, high quality habitats that exist in limited
4-22
-------
quantity would generally be considered most vulnerable since
disturbance of a relatively small area could affect a
substantial percentage of the available habitat. On this
basis, trumpeter swan nesting lakes and moose winter range
would probably be considered the most sensitive habitat
types relative to the evaluation species considered in
Appendix A. Additionally, nesting swans are exceptionally
sensitive to human disturbance and habitat value is readily
lost if humans are present (Timm 1981).
4.4 FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT
4.4.1 Ground-water Hydrology
Detailed information on the ground-water hydrology of
the area can be found in the baseline study report (ERT
1984c). The following discussion summarizes the results of
that study.
Ground water within the Diamond Chuitna project permit
area can be categorized in seven hydrogeologic units. These
units are distinct but interrelated. Ground water within
the units is either confined* or unconfined. Starting with
those closest to the surface the units are described as
follows;
0 Recent Alluvium - Consists of the sands and gra-
vels within the present stream channels. The
sands and gravels usually have high permeability
and ground water is in an unconfined aquifer.
0 Overburden - Consists of coal seams, clays, sandy
silts, and silty sands of the Tyonek Formation and
unconsolidated surface deposits predominantly of
glacial origin. The Tyonek Formation is separated
from the surface deposits by an erosional
unconformity*. Ground water within the Tyonek
Formation is confined while ground water in the
surface deposits is generally unconfined. The
overburden unit is generally unsaturated beneath
the ridge areas of the site. The depth to the
water table varies from 0 in low-lying areas to 91
m (300 ft) or more in the northwest portion (ERT
1984c).
0 Blue Coal - Mineable coal seam which is discon-
tinuous throughout the area due to erosion.
Ground water in this unit is confined.
0 Red 3 Seam - A mineable coal seam, also discon-
tinuous throughout the permit area due to erosion.
This layer is saturated with water and exists
under confined conditions.
0 Red 2 Seam - Mineable coal seam which underlies
most of the site, except a few areas where removed
by.erosion. Ground water in the unit is confined.
4-23
-------
0 Red 1 Seam - A mineable coal seam which is con-
tinuous throughout the permit area. The layer is
saturated and exists under confined conditions.
0 Sub " --d 1 Sand - A thick; sandstone unit which is
overl-i: n by the Red 1 Underclay. The unit is con-
tinuous throughout the permit area and is
saturated under confined conditions.
-3 layers between the coal seams and the Red 1
Underc_ay act as confining tiers between the hydrogeologic
units. The confining properties c the layers are variable
due to sandy zones within the uni,3 and to the ability of
water to move between units due tc the presence of erosion
channels.
Transmissivity, i.e., the rate at which water flows
through an .-.:•-- ~er, and the thickness of each hydrogeologic
unit are li~ . :i Table 4-5. The hydrogeologic units have
variable transmissivities due to differences in the physical
characteristics of the rocks or the amount of fracturing
within the unit.
Ground-water flow is controlled by both the local
topography and by the region's structural geology. The
irregular topograohy -rovides for surface-water collection
and for ground-v 5r 'recharge* into the underlying alluvium
or overburden un^t. Ground-water discharge to the stream
channels occurs where the channel has cut below the local
ground-water piezometric* surfaces. Faulting within the
Tyonek Formation (Chuit Fault in the northwest part of the
permit area and the South-Pit Fault in the southern part of
the permit area) act as barriers to ground-water flow .•
however, evidence suggests that leakage occurs across these
barriers (ERT 1984c). Folding in the Tyonek Formation com-
bined with the erosional unconformity at its surface has
resulted in the formation of several discharge and recharge
boundaries, e.g., folding or erosional breaks permit water
exchange with the surface or the overburden unit (ERT
1984-c).
Ground-water flow in the surficial overburden unit and
recent alluvial units is predominantly from higher eleva-
tions :o lower elevations in the stream valleys where ground
water is discharged. Ground-water flow in the remaining
hydrogeologic units is predominantly from west to east with
the Hue Coal and Red 3 Seam discharging some flow to sur-
facewater chan~2ls. The remaining (deeper) hydr/i-ogic units
do not currently contribute to surface water within the
study area.
4-24
-------
Table 4-5
AQUIFER CHARACTERISTICS
HYDROGEOLOGIC
UNIT
Recent Alluvium
Overburden
Blue Coal
Red 3 Seam
Red 2 Seam
Red 1 Seam
Sub Red 1 Sand
•"•Estimated .
^Average thickness.
^Reported in English
TRANSMISSIVITY
(gpd/ft
3,000
155
102
96
58
29
86
units
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
)3
5Q,OQQl
250,000
667
624
815
300
1,850
correspond
0
0
4
4
4
4
9
THICKNESS
OF UNIT
m(
- 12
-152
.58(
.58(
.58(
.58(
.15(
with
ft)
.2
.5
15)
15)
15)
15)
30)
(
(
2
2
2
2
0- 40)
0-500)
hydrological convention.
Source: ERT 1984c.
An understanding of the interrelationships between
ground water and surface water is critical in providing a
basis for impact assessment. Ground water contributes 34,
32, and 30 percent to the annual flows of Lone Creek, Stream
2003, and Stream 2004, respectively (ERT 1984c). At least
90 percent of this ground water is derived from the shallow
overburden aquifers; the deeper aquifers contribute little
to streamflow within the mine area. Muskegs are important
to ground-water recharge and storage within the shallow
aquifers. The stored water recharges rapidly causing flow
of water in surface deposits that are ultimately drained by
streams at the valley bottoms. These shallow systems on the
terraced sideslopes of the project area drainages provide
the majority of base flow to streams (ERT 1984c).
4.4.2 Surface Water Hydrology
The area of possible hydrologic impacts related to the
project extends from the headwaters of the Chuitna River on
the northwest to Cook Inlet on the southeast and to
Threemile Creek on the northeast (Fig. 4-5). Upstream of
the project boundary, the Chuitna River is joined by Chuit
Creek, Wolverine Creek, and a number of smaller unnamed tri-
butaries. These streams will not be affected by the pro-
posed development.
The Chuitna River flows along the southwest side of the
project area and drains a glacier-free area of about 388 km2
(150 mi2) over a total flow distance of about 27 km (17 mi)
4-25
-------
UPPER
MIDDLE
NORTH FORELAND
\NLfEt
GRANITE PT.
WATERBODIES OF THE DIAMOND CHUITNA MINE STUDY AREA
Diamond Churtna Environmental Impact Statement
4-26
FIGURE 4-5
-------
from the northwest to southeast. Ground elevations in the
basin range from sea level to approximately 549 m (1,800
ft). A short distance upstream of the project area, the
streams are incised in a broad piedmont lowland that is
covered with a thin mantle of poorly drained tundra vegeta-
tion.
North of the Chuitna River, the terrain is relatively
flat with numerous ponds and small lakes. Larger lakes
include Chuitbuna Lake, Viapan Lake and Tukallah Lake. The
surface drainage in this area is poor; surface water runoff
is generally to the east and south. Since the soils are
nearly saturated, streams and ponds fill quickly during
heavy rains (Riverside Technology, Inc. 1986).
The surface water bodies that could be affected by the
proposed development include the Chuitna River and its tri-
butaries in the vicinity of the mine area, Tyonek Creek and
Old Tyonek Creek and their tributaries, and Threemile Creek.
The drainage areas and estimated mean, minimum, and maximum
flows of the potentially affected streams are shown in Table
4-6. Numerous lakes and ponds are also present in the study
area including Congahbuna and Vicky lakes near the proposed
southern corridor.
The average annual precipitation in the basin during
the monitoring period 1982-83 has been estimated to be 122
cm (48 in) with evapotranspiration losses of 23 cm (9 in).
Mean monthly temperatures range from a minimum of -17°C
(1.5°F) in January to a maximum of 18°C (64°F) in July. In
February 1983, the snow-course depth in the area varied from
58 cm (23 in) near Congahbuna Lake to 152 cm (60 in) on
Chuitna Plateau, 162 cm (64 in) on Lone Ridge, and 229 cm
(90 in) on Capps Plateau.
4.4.2.1 Seasonal Flow Characteristics of Affected
Streams
During the winter months (November through March),
below-freezing temperatures prevail in major portions of the
watersheds of the streams likely to be affected by the pro-
ject. Therefore, streamflows in these months are very low
with lowest flows occurring in March. The period April
through August is generally dry. During this time,
streamflows are augmented by snowmelt and may vary from low
in August to moderately high during the peak of snowmelt in
late May and early June. The most significant rainfall in
the area occurs in September and October. During this
period, most of the streams experience high flows and
flooding conditions following storm events.
'4.4.2.2 Origin of Water in Surface Streams
The sources of surface runoff transported by the
streams likely to be affected by the project include rain-
4-27
-------
I
NJ
oo
Table 4-
6
AFKECTCD STiiEAMS
Estimated Flows m/sec (cfs)
1,
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Stream
Oiuitna Hiver (Sta. CQ45)»
Chuitna River (Sta. C120}«
Chuitna River (Sta. C23'Q)«
Lone Creek (Sta. C220)»
Unnaned Tributary 2005
(Sta. C180)
Unnaned Tributary 2004
(Sta. C110)
Tyonek Creek
Old Tyonek Creek
Unnamed tributary of
Old Tyonek Creek
Unnaned Creek south of
Cong alii in a Lake
Locat ion
Southwest of mine area
Near conveyor crosuiixj
Downstream of affected mine area
Above confluence with Oiuitna River
Above confluence with Oiuitna River,
J.22 km (2 mi) east of conveyor aid
4.8) km (3 mi) south of mine area
Drainage Area
kn>2 (au2)
183. 81 ( 71). 97)
1>0.12( 88.05)
342.48(132,23)
49.78( 19.22)
39.8K. 15.37)
Above confluence with Oiuitna Hiver, 46.08( 17.79)
2.4 km (1.5 mi) southwest of mine area
(a) fit conveyor crossing
(b) At mouth of Cook inlet
(a) At conveyor crossing
(b) At mouth of Cook Inlet
(a) At conveyor crossing
(b) At mouth
(a) At conveyor crossing
(b) At mouth of Cook Inlet
3.89C 1.5)
44.03( 17.0)
2.5B( U.92)
60.87( 23.5)
5.44( 2.1)
8.81( 3.4)
1U.1U( 3.9)
12.95( 5.0)
Inatartlurnsous : Mean
tiinuriLin Annual
0.75(26.61) 5.70(203.68)
O.U4(29.93) 7.79(278.28)
1.77(63.36) 10.26(366. 30)
0.13( 4.73) 1.36( 48.40)
0.02( 0.81) 0.71( 25.37)
0.09( 3.33) U.99( 35.43)
U.UB( 3)"'
Q.95( 34)»*
O.U5( 1.B)«»
1.32( 47)»»
0.12( 4.2)
0.19( 6.8)*»
0.22( 7.8)*»
0.28( 10)
Instantaneous
Max inun
118.72(4240. 16)
156.a)(560U.13)
189.82(6779.11)
25.46( 908.80)
12.65( 451.63)
36. 76(1312.70)
—
—
—
—
» Based on observations from July, 1982 to Autjust , 19H3.
"« Data not available. Cat waled at 0.056 mVsec (2 cfs) pur square mile.
Source: EKf 19fJ4a
-------
fall, snowmelt, and ground water. Using the continuous
streamflow data for Station C045 and C230 on the Chuitna
River for the period August 1982 to August 1983, rough esti-
mates of the contributions of each source have been made.
These estimates are based on the assumption that streamflows
in September-October are contributed mainly by rainfall,
those in November through March by base flows*, those in
April-May by snowmelt, and those in June-July-August by
snowmelt and rain. The resulting values are shown in Table
4-7.. ... -
In the absence of detailed information on the hydrology
of Tyonek Creek, Old Tyonek Creek, Threemile Creek, and
other streams in the area, it is assumed that contributions
of rainfall, snowmelt, and ground water to the annual runoff
of these streams will be of the same order of magnitude as
shown in Table 4-7.
4.4.2.3 Runoff Characteristics of Affected Streams
In the Chuitna River drainage basin, surface soils have
slow to very slow infiltration rates and, therefore, high
runoff potential. The Soil Conservation Service Curve
Number (CN3 for these soils is estimated to be 61 for ante-
cedent moisture condition* - II (AMC-II) and 78 for AMC-III.
AMC-II represents the average soil moisture condition that
precedes the annual flood; AMC-III represents saturated soil
conditions caused by heavy rainfall or light rainfall and
low temperatures during the 5 days previous to the given
storm. The minimum infiltration rate for AMC-III conditions
for these soils is estimated to be 0.2 cm/hr (0.08 in/hr).
Estimated runoff factors for the Chuitna River basin at
Station C230, downstream of the affected area, are shown in
Table 4-8.
4.4.2.4 Flooding Characteristics
The maximum recorded flood on the Chuitna River near
Tyonek occurred on September 20, 1976 and was estimated to
be 124 m3/sec (4,380 cfs) (USGS 1979). The drainage area of
the river at this station is 339 km2 (131 mi2). No other
data are available on the flooding characteristics of
streams likely to be affected by the project. Therefore,
the 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, and 100-year
flood peaks of the streams in the project area have been
estimated using synthetic methods. The peak flows and
runoff volumes resulting from 24-hour storms of different
recurrence intervals are shown in Table 4-9.
4.4.2.5 Channel Characteristics
Channel characteristics were observed for streams north
of the Chuitna River near the existing Ladd Road. These are
summarized on Table 4-10. Generally, the stream channels
are 10 to 20 ft (3 to 6.1 m) wide with 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to
4-29
-------
Table 4-7
SOURCES OF SURFACE WATER IN CHUITNA RIVER BASH
Station
Source
Approximate percentage of annual runoff*
1.
C045, Chuitna
River southwest
of mine area
(Drainage area
183.81 km2
[70.97 mi2])
Rainfall
Basef low
Snowmel t
Snowmelt & rain
26
5
24
to 40
to 26
22
to 34
C230, Chuitna
River downstream
of affected area
(Drainage area
342,48 km2
[132.23 mi2])
Rainfall
Baseflow
Snowmelt
Snowrnelt &
rain
25 to 42
5 to 26
20 to 34
16 to 34
*Ranges are based on observed mean daily minimum flow and mean daily maximum
f1ows.
Source: ERT 1984e
Table 4-8
ESTIMATED RUNOFF FACTORS FOR CHUITNA RIVER BASIN
(Drainage area 342 km2 [132.23 mi?])
Storm Designation
Estimated Runoff Factor
Return Period
(years)
2
5
10
25
50
100
Duration
(hours)
24
24
24
24
24
24
Depth
(cm[in])
7.59(2.99)
9.45(3.72)
12.04(4,74)
13.72(5.40)
14.38(5.66)
15.09(5.94)
0.32
0.40
0.48
0.52
0.'54
0.55
Source: ERT 1984e
4-30
-------
Table 4-9
ESMMAItU PtAK FLOWS AND HUNOFF VQHWES FOK SFOKMS Of OlFFEKtNT KLCUKiiENCE INTERVALS1
2-year 5-year 10-year 25-year 50-year lUU-year
24-hour storm 24-hour storm 24-hour storm 24-hourstorm 24-haur storm 24-hour storm
Drianaye Peak Runoff Peak ftjnoff Peak Runoff Peak fiinoff Peak (tjnoff: rt:ak Kunoff
Area Flow Volune Flow Vblune Flow Volume Flow tolune Flow Vblune Flow Vulune
aation (sq miles) (cfs) (acre-ft) (cfs) (acre-ft) (cfs) (acre-ft) (cfa) (acre-ft) (cfa) (acre-ft) (cfs) (acre-ft)
1, thuitna River southwest 70,97 3,838 3.7V2 5,69} 5,792 8,452 8,86* 10,204 10,951 11,032 11,812 11,H12 12,715
of mine area CQ45
2. tnuitna River near 88,85 3,966 4,711 5,918 7,175 8,059 10,977 10,854 13,504 11,642 14,624 12,525 15,795
conveyor crossing C12Q
5, Chuitna River downstream 132,23 4,209 6,825 6,398 10,471 9,704 16,050 11,952 19,879 12,852 21,419' 13,8>0 25,095
** of affected area C230
to '
t-1 4. Lone Creek above confluence 19.22 905 1.U97 1,456 1,660 2,162 2,525 2,635 3,111 2,828 3,i5> 3,U>U 3,611)
with Chuitna River C220 \
5. Unnaned Tributary 1, 2 miles 15,37 988 BBU 1,438 1,341) 2,113 2,040 2,556 2,511 2,737 2,7ut»: 2,'//5 2,909
east of conveyor and 3
miles south of mine area
C180
6. Unnaned Tributary 2, 1.5 14.79 1,126 «55 1,619 1,290 2,347 1,964 2,022 2,417 i,U16 2,604 3,215 2,01)0
miles southwest of mine
area C110
7. Lone Creek east of mine 7.15 562 429 UUQ 647 1,167 9U1 1,40} 1,21)7 1,490 1.2VU 1, 5yV 1,3%
area C200
B. Tributary of Chuil Creek 2.37 218 142 30U 214 440 J25 526 4UU 561 43U 597 463
west of mine area C020
9,. Tributary of Chuitna River 6.51 511 591 706 5U9 1,128 tW> 1,554 1,099 1,444 1,102 1,559 1,271
just south of mine area,
0.7 miles east of conveyor
C140
10. Tributary of Uiuitna River 9.42 780 566 1,115 052 1,605 1,292 1,925 1,590 2,053 1,710 2,191) 1,059
south of mine area, 1.4
miles weut of conveyor
COW)
Reported in Uujlisli tnits U> corretiixmJ wi Lh hydrolujicail cuiivunl ion,
Sfiiiruc: MU 19H4c
-------
Tublts 4-III
UJ
SIRCAH CRQSS1NG CHANNEL CHARAL!'"t«;tICS (1)
1 ADO ROAD/NORTH KOAD All.
ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION ROW
Stream
Crossing
2003
200301
Lone Creek (2002)
15
Bank Valley
Mean Full Mean Maximua floor
Width Width Depth Depth Width
(feet) (feet) (feet) (feet) (feet;
16 32 2.0 5.0 130
1U 22 1.0 3.5 70
22 41 1.5 4.0 175
8 12 1,0 3.0 N/A
Roughness
•ncterislictf
Course Gravel/Cobble
Silts/Cobble
Silts/Cobble/Boulder
Silt/Tine Sands
Overbank \Uytitalion
Mixed Woodland, Shrubs, & Grasses
Willows, Alders, & Grasses
WillOHS, Alders, & Graaaes
Dense Riparian, Muskeg 4 Grasses
LAW) ROW
Stream
Crossing
2003
200301
Lone Creek (2002)
15
10
Bank Valley
Mean Full Mean Maximum Floor
Width Width Depth Depth Width
(feet) (feet) (feet) (feet) (feet)
16 32 2.0 5,0 60
10 22 1.0 3,5 70
22 41 1.5 4.0 1BO
7 10 0.6 3.5 N/A
5 8 0.5 2.5 N/A
Roughness
Characteristics
Coarse Gravel/Cobble
Silts/Cobble
Silts/Cobble/Boulder
Silt/Gravel
Ssnd/Gravel
Overbank Vegetation
Mixed Woodland, Shrubs, 4 Grasses
Willows, Alders, 1 Grasses
Willons, Alders, & Grasses
Dense Riparian, Muskeg 1 Grasses
Dense Riparian, Huskeg & Grasses
(1) Values ,«; composite of Bulitple surveys conducted during
crossings.
studies and are representative of the selected stream
-------
0.9 m) vertical banks. They are well-developed, incised and
y-shaped. Dense riparian vegetation and woodland comprise
overbank vegetation. In the Chuitna River basin, channels
appear to be dynamic and have potential for bank collapse
and migration due to extreme runoff events. For flood
events, less than bankfull, very little bank alteration
would likely occur since they are held together by a heavy
vegetative mat in most cases. Large streambed materials and
low natural sediment content of the water minimize aggrada-
tion and degradation (Riverside Technology, Inc. 1986).
4.4.3 Water Quality
4.4.3.1 Ground-water Quality
Two wells drilled in the project area (Fig. 4-6) pro-
'vide information about ground-water quality outside of the
lease boundary. The well southwest of Congahbuna Lake had
good quality soft water that was a mixture of calcium bicar-
bonate and sodium bicarbonate types (DOWL 1981). Water con-
tained low mineralization, trace element concentrations were
low, and the water easily met drinking water standards < ADEC
1982). Water in a well near the Chuitna River was calcium
bicarbonate type (Scully et al. 19815. Other than iron, no
physical constituents or properties were in excess of the
EPA (1976) or ADEC (1982) drinking water standards.
Ground-water quality in the lease area, summarized in
Table 4-11, was characterized by sampling numerous test
wells. This water exhibits significant variation with depth
or stratigraphic position of each hydrogeologic unit (ERT
1984a) . The water quality of springs is similar to stream
water quality and meets all of the primary drinking water
standards. Mineralization (measured by total dissolved
solids and conductivity), hardness, pH, and alkalinity tend
to increase with the older and deeper units. Ground water
from all units, except springs, exceeds the drinking water
criteria for iron and manganese and the total dissolved
solids criterion is exceeded in the Sub Red 1 Sand (ADEC
1982). Iron concentrations in all units, except springs,
also exceed the level critical for the preservation of
freshwater aquatic life, which is 1.0 mg/1 (EPA 1976).
Isolated ground-water samples also equalled or slightly
exceeded aquatic life criteria for zinc and ammonia. Trace
elements other than iron and manganese exhibit low con-
centrations, as do the EPA priority pollutants.
The water quality of the upper part of Lone Creek
appears to be slightly affected by discharge of ground water
originating from the deeper aquifers. Ground-water input to
other streams is primarily from shallow aquifers with water
quality similar to surface water and, therefore, water
quality differences cannot be detected (ERT 1984c).
4-33
-------
Susitna Flats
Wildlife Refuge
Congahbuna
Lake
Trading
"""" Refuge
Tyonek
North Foreland
Granite Point
Well Locations
Stations sampled by Maurer and Totand (1d84)
TS8 Data Reported by Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and
Placer Amex, Inc. (1981)
IN MILES
WATER QUALITY SAMPLE STATIONS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-6
4-34
-------
Table 4-11
GROUND-WATER QUALITY
Over- Blue Red 3 Red 2 Red 1 Sub
Characteristic Spring Aluvium burden Coal ...Coal jgcal Coal 1 Sa
Conductivity,
micronhos/an 6 25°C 44 180 250 280 400 590 580 910
Hardness, mg/L
as CaCO3
Doninant Cation
Doninant Anion
Sulfate, mg/L
Iron, mg/L
Manganese, mg/L
Zinc, mg/L
Trace Elements (other
than Fe, Mn, & Zn) Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
Total Aromatic
Hydrocarbons Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
Acid Extractables Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Lew
Base/Neutral
Extractables Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
Note: Values are averages for each unit.
Iron, manganese, and zinc concentrations are total recoverable levels.
Source: ERT 1984c.
8.9
Ca/Na
BC03
1.9
<0.02
<0.005
0.045
66
Ca
BCG3
5.0
3.5
0.19
0.24
100
Ca
HC03
5.8
5.1
0.39
0.23
94
Ca
HC03
21.2
2.1
0.29
0.41
75
Na
HC03
2.5
2.1
0.08
0.22
102
Na
HC03
38.9
12.1
0.16
2.24
104
Na
HC03
39.7
39.7
0.72
2.51
134
Na
C03
5.9
3.7
0.15
3.39
4-35
-------
4.4.3.2 Surface Water Quality
Data reported by Scully et al. (1981), ERT (1984e), and
Maurer and Toland (1984) indicate that the water quality of
streams in the Chuitna River basin (Fig. 4-5) is consistent-
ly high throughout the year, which is typical in pristine
areas of Alaska. The stream flow is typically highly oxyge-
nated with 90 to 100 percent saturation of dissolved oxygen
and has little or no oxygen demand. The water displays
neutral pH levels but low concentrations of alkalinity indi-
cate the streams are poorly buffered. Mineralization is low
as indicated by relatively low conductivity levels, ranging
up to 120 micromhos per centimeter at 25°C (77°F). The
dilute surface waters are a calcium bicarbonate type, have
low concentrations of nutrients, and only a small amount of
natural organic enrichment.
Breakup occurs in late April or early May. In May and
June, water temperatures exhibit a moderate increase
followed by a more rapid increase in late June and July.
The annual maximum water temperature occurs in late July or
early August and the maximum temperature recorded was 22.5°C
(72.5°F) (Scully et al. 1981). Water temperatures decrease
throughout September and usually reach near the freezing
point by late October.
Total suspended solids concentrations have ranged up to
1570 mg/1 ir the Chuitna River (Scully et al. 1981). Total
suspended solids concentrations and turbidity levels,
however, are consistently low over a wide range in
discharges on the smaller streams. In the Chuitna River, 86
percent of the suspended sediment is discharged during 10
percent of the time. Further, particle size analyses show
that 30 to 70 percent of the suspended sediment consisted of
sand particles and the rest was silt and clay (Scully et al.
',981) .
Although iron and manganese concentrations exceed their
respective drink ng water criteria (EPA 1976; ADEC 1982)
much of the time concentrations of other trace elements are
low. These constituents include antimony, arsenic, barium,
beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury,
selenium, silver, titanium, zinc, and uncomplexed cyanide.
Background concentrations of boron, nickel, and zinc are
low, but have been found to occasionally exceed standards
for aquatic life. Organically derived ammonia nitrogen is
also found to periodically exceed recognized standards.
Recoverable iron has ranged up to 6.1 mg/1 Maurer and
Toland 1984), with most of the measurements e . aeding 1.0
irq/l--the level critical for the preservation of freshwater
aquatic life (EPA 1976).
Radioactivity levels determined as gross alpha and
gross beta on all samples were below the drinking water
limits (EPA 1976).
4-36
-------
Volatile organics, acid extractables, and base/neutral
extractables were consistently less than their respective
detection limits. This information indicates that there is
no evidence of herbicides, pesticides, and other organic
chemical contamination in these streams.
Limited water quality data exist for Threemile, Tyonek,
and Old Tyonek Creeks. Four total suspended solids measure-
ments in Old Tyonek Creek ranged from 2.1 to 19.0 mg/1 (DOWL
19815, indicating a relatively low sediment load in this
creek. U.S. Geologic Survey data (USGS 1981; USGS 1983?
Still et al. 1984) indicate all three creeks display relati-
vely low conductivity levels. Hence, mineralization is low.
Water temperature ranges from 0 to at least 20°e (32° to
68°F), dissolved oxygen levels are moderately high to high,
and pH values are typically neutral. Bicarbonate alkalinity
concentrations are relatively low which means there is
little buffering capacity in these creeks. Color levels in
Tyonek and Old Tyonek Creeks are high.
4.4.4 Biology
4.4.4.1 Aquatic Ecology
There are four relatively distinct freshwater habitat
types in the project area: the Chuitna River, the three tri-
butaries to the Chuitna, Threemile Creek, and numerous ponds
and small lakes (Fig, 4-5). Most of these habitats are
relatively productive, supporting a diverse array of primary
and secondary producers (algae and invertebrates). Where
access has been available since the last ice age, resident
fish have colonized many of these waters. Where access is
currently possible, anadromous* fish dominate the aquatic
communities.
For its lower 10 km (6 mi), the Chuitna River meanders
over the relatively flat coastal plain that extends north-
ward past the Susitna Flats. At a point about 1 km (0.6 mi)
downstream of the mouth of Lone Creek, the river leaves a
steep-walled valley and the sinuosity is somewhat reduced.
Overall, the stream is characterized by long riffle sections
interspersed with scattered deep pools. The entire mainstem
through and above the project area is accessible to adult
anadromous fish and is also utilized by juveniles for
rearing (ERT 1984a) . Substrate ranges from coarse sand to
cobble and boulder with bedrock outcrops, often in the form
of coal seams. Water is typically clear (non-glacial) and
slightly stained with organics. Benthic productivity, as
evidenced by standing crop, tended to be less than in the
mine area tributaries. Mean annual flow has been estimated
at 5.70 to 10.26 mVsec (203.68 to 366.30 cfs) with a
recorded extreme range of flow of 2.41 to 112.00 m^/sec (86
to 4,000 cfs)(ERT 1984e).
Three significant Chuitna River tributaries drain por-
tions of the mine area. These tributaries, 2002 (Lone
4-37
-------
Creek), 2003, and 2004, contribute 15, 7, and 10 percent,
respectively, of Chuitna flow below the Lone Creek
confluence (ERT 1985c5. In addition, Tyonek and Old Tyonek
creeks would b* crossed by the southern corridor. The
northern corric crosses Lone Crj--ek and crosses Threemile
Creek twice. 1 eastern corridor crosses Lone Creek. In
general, these steams can be characterized as clear-water
streams with moderate to high organic staining, stable chan-
nels and flows, good benthic productivity, and good to
excellent fish habitat. The benthic community is dominated
by immature stages of chironomids (mosquitoes and midges),
simuli'is (black lies), mayflies, caddis flies, and stone-
flies . th species dominance shifting with time during the
open water season (ERT 1984a).
The mine area contains numerous small ponds and lakes
in various stages of eutrophication. Most are being
encroached upon by vegetative growth that will eventually
turn them into boggy muskeg. Only a few of these lakes have
been shown to support fish, primarily because of limited
access or limited spawning or overwintering areas. Benthos
and zooplankton densities and diversities measured in these
lakes appeared low (ERT 1984a)? however, sampling in July
likely missed periods of peak abundance.
4.4.4.2 Fish
Freshwater habitats in the project area support abun-
dant resident and anadromous fish populations that have
significant subsistence, commercial, and sport value (see
also Sections 4.5.3, 4.8, and 4.10.1). The distribution of
fish and spawning and rearing habitat within the study area
ars shown in Figures 4-7 and 4-8.
At present, resident species are not significantly
exploited in project area streams. Limited numbers of both
resident rainbow trout (Salrno gairdneri) and anadromous
Dolly Varden char (Salvelinus malma) are taken as incidental
catch in the salmon sport fishery in the lower Chuitna
(ADF&G 1983, 1984). Possibly the most important resident
speci-es is the rainbow trout. The mainstem of the Chuitna
River, particularly upstream of Stream 2004, contains a
population of modest-sized (e.g., to 1 kg [2.2 lb]) rainbows
that would be capable of supporting a limited, but high-
quality, sport fishery (Dames & Moore 1980). Limited access
and availability of other fishing opportunities have pre-
vented development of such a fishery to date. Juvenile rain-
bow trout, and perhaps smaller adults, are widely scattered
but not abundant in the tributary streams draining the mine
area (ERT 1984a, 1985c).
Dolly Varden are the most widespread of the salmonids
found in the study area, occurring in both resident and
anadromous forms. In 1983, in excess of 3,000 anadromous
Dolly Varden were counted entering the system (Table 4-11;
4-38
-------
o»
LEGEND
A CHINOOK
• COHO
O RAINBOW
D DOLLY VARDEN
-- MINING LIMIT
SOURCE: ERT 1984a, b.
North
Foreland
UPPERMOST EXTENT OF DOCUMENTED USE BY
REARING JUVENILE SALMONIDS
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
4-39
FIGURE 4-7
-------
LEGEND
* CHINOOK
•COHO
DRINKS
-MINING LIMIT
SOURCE: ERT 1984a, b,
DAMES & MOORE 1980 (PINKS ONLY)
North
Foreland
UPPERMOST EXTENT OF DOCUMENTED USE BY
SPAWNING ANADROMOUS FISH
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-8
4-40
-------
ERT 1984c). Juveniles were taken at virtually every stream
location sampled that had any fish, including the uppermost
reaches of tributaries to streams 2002, 2003, and 2004 (ERT
1984a, Dames & Moore 1980).
Other resident fish that have been taken in the Chuitna
system include Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentatus), arc-
tic lamprey (L. japonica), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus),
coastrange sculpin (C. aleuticus), and threespine stickle-
back (Gasterosteus aculeatus, primarily a lake resident}
(ERT 1984a).
By far the greatest fishery value of the Chuitna System
is represented by the production of anadromous Pacific
salmon, especially chinook (king) and coho (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha and _0, kisutch) . Pink salmon (CL gorbuscha)
are also abundant in the system along with a few chum and
red (sockeye) salmon (_0. keta and £. nerka., respectively).
Timing of key life history phases of important salmonids in
the Chuitna System is presented in Figure 4-9. Documented
spawning escapements* of chinook, coho, and pinks to the
Chuitna system and to mine area tributaries are provided in
Table 4-12. Chum escapements are not well documented, but
are likely less than a hundred fish annually (ERT 1984a).
Small numbers of red salmon are taken each year in the chi-
nook fishery in the lower Chuitna (ADF&G 1983, 1984b).
Maturing adult chinook salmon enter the Chuitna River
from mid-June through early July on their spawning migra-
tion. Estimated escapements in the three years of baseline
data ranged from 3,537 to 6rOOO. Spawners were noted as far
upstream as 6.5 km (4 mi) above the mouth of Wolverine Creek
in the mainstem. Chinook spawners were documented as far
upstream as 10, 5.6, and 7 km (6.2, 3.5, and 4.4 mi) above.
the mouths of streams 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively, in,
at least one of the three baseline survey years (Table 4-12,
Fig. 4-8). Maximum percentage of the documented chinook
escapement for the Chuitna system spawning in each creek has
been 7, 14, and 8 percent, respectively. Upstream extent of
chinook spawning in these three streams has declined
progressively from 1982 through 1984. Upstream migration
distance, and very likely escapement numbers to each stream
as well, is dependent in each year on the location, of
impassible beaver dams.
Chinook spawn in the study area from early July through
mid-August (Fig. 4-9). Preferred spawning habitat is gravel
and cobbles with a tendency toward use of coarser stream bed
areas. Measured spawning area water velocities ranged from
0.27 to 0.46 m/s (0.9 to 1.5 ft/s) in depths of 25 to 35 cm
(0.8 to 1.1 ft) (ERT 1985c). Emergence reportedly occurs
throughout April and May (Fig. 4-9). Fry usually spend one
year in the stream, residing primarily in the main Chuitna
and the middle and lower sections of the tributaries and
feeding on a mixture of terrestrial adult and immature
4-41
-------
AGE 0* - 3+ OUTMIGRATE AFTER 3-4 YEARS
DOLLY
rrrnnnnr~m
VARDEN 'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DIJ'F'M'A'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DIJ'F'M'A'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DIJ'F'M'A'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DI
trim n •• •• w\
CHUM
SALMON
•On SPAWNING
(IZKI) INTRAGRAVEL DEVELOPMENT
&?m FRY EMERGENCE
oooooo OUTMIGRATION TO SEA
111 •• •• •• ••!
PINK
SALMON
AGE o*
n
AGE I*
—c
-*
CHINOOK
SALMON 'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DIJ'F'M'A'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DIJ'F'M'A'M'J'J'A'S'O'N'DI
AGE It
AGE 2 +
AGE
-ooooo-
[11 •• •• •• ill
COHO
SALMON
IJ'F'M'
''''''''
IM J J'A'S'O'N OIJ
IBROOD STOCK YEARJ
M'J'J'A
YEAR o
M'J'J'A'S'O'NDJFMAMJJASOND
YEAR i | YEAR 2 j
SOURCE: ERT. 1985
TIMING OF LIFE HISTORY PHASES FOR ANADROMOUS
SALMONIDS IN THE CHUITNA RIVER DRAINAGE
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-9
-------
Table 4-12
CHINOOK
UPS WEAH
SIRCAH 1C«H IIH1!
CHUtrw SJSrtH 198Z tu nouthof 2011
21) (Hil.erini? fork)
I9B5 to 4 mi. above
mouth of 2011
1984 to «outh of Z011
(Nolverine fork)
.£>.
1
OJ
KM CKLEK 1VU? Lo 0,5 at. xliuvi.-
ZOM ZDIJ2UI
IVIli In U.B mi , utiuvn
nimilli
1V04 to U.8 III. lllluvc
Blmjt ft
MAICKSI1D uu; to near muun
2UOJ of 200SU2
19H3 to near woutli
of 2D051J2
I9S& tu 1,0 «i. aliuve
of *ioi£ h
«*»>««» «'« - '-"-I- *-~"
1WI> lo Junl tletnt.
I')IK. Ill 0.1 «l. «l,,~i:
•jAijiim L:><:AIIMK LIMH WHBEH SYS1EM VEAR IIMII MMIKH SK tEH YEAR L1H1I ^aHttt:ll STSIEM
Ji!7 lo 100 1982 ml doeuteiited 108S In 100 1980 to 2 «t. Belon N.E, N.E, 1982 not . 1UU 198! «B»e noijth of JJZflt- lutt
WHO miih of 2011 1BOB 201NI Molverine Creek
J900 100 19tKi not duci»enteiJ 1900 to 100 19BJ lonoulhof 71 >U 1UU WW> not docutented N.E.
2SOO 2004
19B4 to mouth of 9775 untoiotn
2004 iminalm
cmly
a«J. i - 6 1VU2 lo ^i~« 112 17 - 19 1VU2 lu U.> mi. iiliuvu N.L. N.L.
.n.;::l 2UU2M
tit 7 1M» lu jiist Ijiilo* an* IB - 2J I9B3 lo O.B «i . auiivc 'ff> J
211112(11; U. 5 ini. BOutn
inlu 2002UZ
19114 to U.U si. aliovy B4 S
POiAh
508 12 - 11 IVltf >wt .Icicunenloa ?u» 5-6 1VUO to just belo» W«U? N.E,
month of 20U)U6
J2i 6-7 IMIi lu jmil U)UVB 111 a - 9 19U2 not docunenteO N.t". N.E.
41 1 !!»1» lo moutu of 5-7 19B) tu tl.B »i. »l»o»c
-------
aquatic insects (ERT 1984a). Outmigration probably occurs
during the spring but may extend from March through July
(ERT 1985c). Late fall migrations out of the smaller tribu-
taries may occur but have not been well studied.
Overwintering distributions are also not fully defined.
Maturing adult coho salmon enter the Chuitna River from
late July into September on their spawning migration, Coho
spawners have been noted as far upstream as 5.6 km (3.5 mi 5
above the mouth of Wolverine Creek in the mainstem and some
11 km (7 mi) up Chuit Creek (ERT 1984a). Coho spawners also
were documented as far upstream as 17,6, 11.5, and 9.6 km
(11, 7.2, and 6 mi) above the mouths of streams 2002, 2003,
and 2004, respectively, in at least one of the three base-
line survey years (Fig. 4-8). Maximum percentage of the
documented coho escapement for the Chuitna system spawning
in each creek has been 23, 9, and 9 percent respectively.
Upstream migration distance and escapement to each stream
do not seem to be as dependent on the location of beaver
dams as for Chinook and pink salmon.
Coho spawn in the study area from la ~.e August through
October (Fig. 4-9). Preferred spawning haoitat is a gravel
or gravel/cobble stream bed in 27 to 30 cm (10.6 to 11.8 in)
of water with a velocity of 0.34 to 0.43 m/s (1.1 to 1.4
ft/s) (ERT 1985c). Emergence reportedly occurs from late
April through June. Fry spend one or two years in the
stream residing mainly in pools and slower 'reaches of
accessible tributaries. They feed on a mixture of
terrestrial adult insects that fall into the water and imma-
ture aquatic insects (Scott and Grossman 1973, Dames & Moore
1976). Outmigration probably occurs primarily during the
spring but may extend throughout- much of the year (Fig.
4-9). As with chinook salmon, late fall migrations and
overwintering distributions are not well understood.
Maturing adult pink salmon enter the Chuitna River from
mid-July through early August on their spawning migration.
Estimated escapements in the three years of baseline ranged
from 7,150 to over 20,400, with greater numbers during even-
numbered years. Spawners were noted only as far upstream as
the mouth of Stream 2004 in the mainstem. Pink spawners
were documented as far upstream as 4.7 and 1.3 km (2.9 and
0.8 mi) above the mouths of streams 2002 and 2003, respec-
tively, in at least one of the three baseline survey years
(Table 4-12), Maximum percentage of the documented pink
escapement for the Chuitna system spawning in each creek has
been 3, 4, and 0 percent, respectively. However, in an
earlier survey, during the exceptionally good 1980 pink
year, pink spawners were far more abundant (Table 4-115 in
streams 2002 and 2003 than during the baseline study years
(Dames & Moore 1980). Spawning activity was noted as far
upstream as 11.4 kin (7.2 mi) above the mouth of Stream
2003. In Lone Creek (2002), pinks were seen as high as 14.6
km (9.1 mi 5 above the mouth (at the confluence of 200202) in
4-44
-------
1980 (Dames & Moore 1980). As with Chinook, upstream migra-
tion distance, and very likely escapement numbers to each
stream as well, is very dependent on the location of
impassible beaver dams; a trend of increasing exclusion from
upper reaches of mine area tributaries has occurred since
1980.
Pink salmon spawn in the study area from late July to
early September (Fig. 4-9). Preferred spawning habitat is a
gravel or gravel/cobble stream bed with depths of 12 to 46
cm (0.4 to 1.5 ft) and velocities from 0'. 30 to 0.60 m/s (1
to 1.9 ft/s) {ERT 1985c). Emergence reportedly occurs from
mid-February into May (Fig. 4-9). Fry spend only a few days
or weeks in their natal stream, moving rapidly out to the
marine environment and feeding little in freshwater.
The fish resources of independent drainages that would
be crossed by alternative transportation corridors have not
been studied in great detail. However, ERT (1984b) reported
spawning pink salmon in the lower mile of both Tyonek and
Old Tyonek creeks in August 1984 and coho spawners in the
upper reaches of each stream in October 1984. Threemile
Creek has a run of several thousand red salmon and may also
have some coho (Hepler 1985). Nikolai Creek has a run of
perhaps several hundred chinook, as well as good runs of
even-year pinks, a good resident rainbow population, and
very likely some coho salmon (Hepler 1985).
4.4.4.3 Stream Habitat Evaluation
Physical and biological characteristics of the Chuitna
River and its mine area tributaries have been described
above in Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4.4.1, and 4.4.4.2. In addi-
tion to this information, a considerable body of data on
specific characteristics of individual stream reaches that
may be directly or indirectly impacted by the project was
gathered in the baseline studies. These data (ERT 1984a,
1985c) are essential to the impact analyses described in
Section 5.0 and provide necessary documentation for
designing and measuring the success of stream reconstruction
and rehabilitation. Parameters that are used in' the impact
analysis are summarized by stream reach in Table 4-13.
Other physical and biological habitat data are available in
the baseline studies reports (ERT 1984a,b) and the State
Permit Application (ERT 1985c).
Maximum measured rearing densities and maximum spawner
densities for each key species have been included (Table
4-13) for the various stream reaches that may be influenced
by the project. Finally, each reach has been assigned a
rating of habitat (resource) value based on a localized
application of USFWS mitigation policy (FR Vol. 46, No. 15,
23 January, 1981). These assignments are based on perceived
potential value of the various reaches (cf. entire drainage
in standard QSFWS applications), the physical and biological
4-45
-------
Table 4-13
HABHAI AND BIOlOCiCAl CtlARACIERISHCS Of
DRAINAGE
IHlUulAltV
MACH
REACH LENGIH
(meters)
MEAN N101H
(•cters)
REACH ARtA (n2)
POOl/RIffLE
(ares ratio)
SLOPE IS)
S1NUDSIIV
RlfflE VCL. (major
and percent Kb)
BEAVER DAKS
DISCHARGE
( annual range m3/»)
MAXIMUM MEASRCD
SPAMNMC DCN5IIY
(no./ta)
- CHINOOK
rwAlMUH W.SMIKED
REARING DENSITY
- CHINOOK
- COHD
- RAINBOW/
DOlir VMDCN
20
CHUI1NA B.
HAINSIEM
UCIOW 2003
17910
22,6
404766
0.4-0.85
Q.5-KO
HICH
B. 31-0. 76
M
HONE
2.4-113*
85
a.64 (d)
0.5S (d)
0.47 (d)
ASSIGNtD PROJCCT
AflCA HABHAI VALUE
- CHINOOK VI Rt HICH
- com HIGH
- FINK HICII
- RA1MK1K/
ODLLV VARDOi HICH
(a) Soumi 1ST |19B4a. 19Mb. 1
2002
LONC CD.
HA1NSIEH
UPPER
3670
2.4
8808.
0,4-1.7
1.0-5,0
ION
0.31-0.76
90
ret*
0.01-2.9
20
0.11
0.75
0.64
MEOIUH
HIGH
MEDIUM
HIGH
LM&c) snoot
20(12
LONE CR.
HAINSIEM
H10DLE
111*0
5.7
41958
0.8-J.4
1.0-1.5
HIGH
O.J1-0.74
HAW
0.08-17.2
(J)
20-35
M)U(k)
0.43
J.OJ
0,1
HIGH
VERY HIGH
HICH
MEDIUM
aa noted.
2002
I.IINE CD.
MAINSIEH
LOMCR
6390
6.7
42B13
1.2-4.3
1.0-1,5
MOOCRA1C
O.M-D.76
rc»
0.2J-1».4
200
HO
190
0.32
0.2
VERV HICH
HIGH
HIGH
HE01UH
2003
HAINSItH
UPPER
4610
1.0
8298
0.73-12.0
0.5-3.0
LOM
0.16-0.30
68
NONE
(ji
0.0 (e) <0.04 (f)
I.W {•) 0.13 (h)
O.J4 («) |.4« (h)
lOH HCD1UM
HIGH HIGH
LOW LOM
MCOIIM HICH
20U4 2fl04 2004
HAINSiEAM HAINSIEH 2110403
MIDDLE 1 (MR UPPER 360 m
48M )U20 360
3.3 3.9 1 (i)
15939 1177U J6O
1.36-4.32 2.39
0.5 2.5
HIGH U1W
0.31-B.!6 O.M-0.76
61 75
flW HANV
a.08-1J.I 0.11-24
45 -
(J) (j)
<0.0« (f) 0.23 (f) - (g)
2.98 (h) O.J4 (h) 1.»2 (B)
0.39 (h) 0.77(h) 0,34 (•>
HIGH VEHV HIGH MTOIIIH
VI KY HIGH HIGH HIGH
I.UN LOH [OH
HCOHJN HIGH MEDIUM
(b> Parcent of tot»l riffl* mrom with vnlcKitifl* in Mjctr
(c> Actual derail y Bho**n i* hlgheat doc***ol»d in «n^ IsAae
(d) Scaled from maximum density in lower ZOO 5 and 2003 (av
of 198? MtrmcM tritp catch per unit of effort CCPUC);
(c) Based on average af ? 001 01 aod -u,OD^ values.
(f) Scaled frtn lower 20TI> density usiog ratine of 1983
froa) afjfj lie stole reaches,
in* atudy year.
rage*]), based oo ratios
jia to ahereltneo on
rup mean CPUf "S
raactiea.
g o aea ar sxrspQeon o ensy vaues.
(ri) Scaled (ton hiyhool 1983 or 1?S4 darraUie* on 2M2 and 2002
uaing 19B2 »in»w*» trap mean PCUC'5 fro«
(i) CntiMated value.
(j) S|>«!cies Is preaent; no cJenaHy eatinate
(k) Source: O^nes i Moore 19BO.
{1} loiver porlion only.
-------
data available, and the assumption that access is unhindered
to reaches currently blocked by beaver dams. This assump-
tion is based on the trends observed between 1980 (Dames &
Moore 1980) and 1984 (ERT 1985c) which indicate a progres-
sive decline in numbers of chinook and pink spawners
reaching upper stream areas. For example, the middle reach
of the mainstem of Stream 2003 was rated as having high
habitat value for chinook salmon despite the fact that none
were taken in the 1983 or 1984 quantitative sampling in the
reach. However, habitat present should be excellent for
chinook juveniles if upstream access were not blocked by
beaver dams and very likely would be used by adults for
spawning as well.
Overall, the lower reaches of all three streams were
rated as very high in habitat value for chinook while the
middle reaches were rated very high for coho. Middle
reaches were rated high for chinook based on their rearing
potential but upper reaches and small tributaries tended to
be rated low because low flow likely would limit access even
in the absence of beaver dams. Most reaches in 2002 and
2003 were rated high for pinks based on the high densities
of spawners seen in 1980 (Dames & Moore 1980), while 2004,
where none have been seen, was rated low. All reaches were
rated at least high for coho since only the uppermost
reaches of the smaller tributaries lacked significant
rearing by this species. Opper and lower reaches of 'the
three streams were generally rated high for resident rainbow
and Dolly Varden while middle reaches were of lesser value
based on measured usage densities. The Chuitna River below
2003 was rated as very high in habitat value for chinook and
high for all other species because of its combined function
as a migratory pathway, spawning area, rearing area, and
excellent sport fishing water.
4,5 MARINE ENVIRONMENT
4.5.1 Physical and Chemical Oceanography
Cook inlet is a large tidal estuary with its axis
trending NNE-SSW. It is divided into north and south sec-
tors by the East and West Forelands. The Beluga region is
in the north sector of Cook Inlet which has implications
relative to circulation, water quality, and ice conditions.
4.5.1.1 Currents/Circulation
Tidal influences dominate currents and circulation pat-
terns in Cook Inlet. Models of Cook Inlet tidal processes
have been constructed (Carlson and Behlke 1972; Mungall and
Matthews 1970) but do not offer sufficient resolution at the
three possible port sites for impact assessment. Cook Inlet
tides are mixed diurnal, exhibiting two unequal high and low
tides in a period of about 25 hours; amplitudes range from 3
m (10 feet) at the mouth to 9 m (30 feet) at the head.
4-47
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Tides were measured at the Granite Point port site for
a few days during the feasibility investigations (Bechtel
1983; Nortec 1982) and these results indicate a tidal range
on the order of 4 m (13 to 14 feet). Comparison of these
data with predicted tides from other parts of Cook Inlet
suggests some differences at the Diamond Alaska site rela-
tive to expected (adjusted predictions) tidal datum, levels
and times. This affects site bathymetric survey data.
Currents, being tidally driven, reverse direction
approximately every 6 hours. With the great tidal range, the
velocities and turbulence of currents in Cook Inlet can be
dramatic. The National Ocean Survey (NOS) conducted current
monitoring in Cook Inlet during the mid-1970s. Their sta-
tions 55, 57, and 58 are in the Granite Point/North Forelvad
vicinity. Data from the NOS tidal current tables indicate
higher flows approaching 5 knots. Because of the irregular
seafloor and coastline, the ebb and flood current directions
also vary from being exactly opposite in direction reversal;
this is important in selecting dock location and orien-
tation.
The highest currents measured at Granite Point during
the brief feasibility investigation were on ebb, which
peaked at 2.8 knots; flood tide reached 2.6 knots during
this same short period. A statistical analysis (Nortec 1982)
concluded that extreme tidal range at the site would be 5.8
m (17.8 feet) and extreme tidal current would be 6.2 knots.
Net circulation direction across this site is probably to
the southwest.
4.5.1.2 Bathymetry
Detailed bathymetric data are not available for the
area between Trading Bay and the Beluga River except i-n the
immediate vicini-y of the proposed Granite Point and Ladd
port sites (Nortec 1982). Navigation charts show that, in
general, the sea bottom is gently sloping with a shallow
~helf less than 18 m (60 ft) deep extending into Cook Inlet
>r a distance of 2100 m (7000 ft) to 3600 m (12,000 ft).
Tne shelf narrows opposite the North Forelands where 18 m
(60 ft) depths are found about 900 m (300 ft) from shore.
The Granite Point bathymetric study indicated that many
uncharted irregularities exist in the bottom topography.
Shoals with water less than 18 m (60 ft) deep are present
south of Granite Point and southeast of the mouth of
Threemile Creek.
4.5.1.3 Wind and Wave Climate
Cook Inlet lies in a northwest-southeast storm track
that is bounded on the northeast by the Canadian continental
air mass and on the south and west by a maritime air mass.
The location is susceptible to sudden intense storms.
Prevailing winter winds are from the northeast and can reach
4-48
-------
intensities up to 66 Knots. Because Cook Inlet is
paralleled by mountain ranges, winds perpendicular to the
channel seldom exceed 35 knots (Bechtel 1983).
There is little published data on waves in Cook Inlet.
Carsola (1975) investigated waves in lower Cook Inlet and
reported significant wave heights less than 0.6 m (2 feet)
about 80 percent of the time. Maximum observed significant
wave heights were reported at 2.4 m (8 feet) in that study.
Most common wave periods are 3 to 4 seconds. The frequency
of occurrence for deepwater waves greater than 2.6 m (8 ft)
is about 12 percent, 5 percent for waves of 3.8 m (11.5 ft).
Fishermen have reported observing waves in excess of 6.6 m
(20 ft) during storms.
Tsunami waves are a possibility in Cook Inlet. Such
waves were observed at Seldovia, and possibly at Homer,
during the 1964 Alaska earthquake (Wilson and Torum 1968).
The active volcanoes near Cook Inlet might also generate a
tsunami wave. Mt. Augustine, an island in Cook Inlet south
of the project area, erupted in 1976 and 1986.
4.5.1.4 Marine Water Quality
Cook Inlet water quality is incompletely understood and
no studies have been done at this site. However, regional
Cook Inlet studies and the dynamic mixing that is charac-
teristic of Cook Inlet permit some generalizations for the
site.
The water column is expected to' be well-oxygenated.
Suspended solids are very high in Cook Inlet, owing to the
turbulent transport and the contribution of silt fr,om
glacier-fed runoff, which is especially high during
spring/summer seasons (especially July, August, September).
Rivers near the project area are important in this respect
and include the Susitna, Beluga, and McArthur.
In upper Cook Inlet, the clay and silt particles are
kept in suspension by the tidal currents. The circulation
patterns in Cook Inlet result in much of this fine sediment
being transported down the west side of the inlet, across
the site (Gatto 1976). Surface suspended sediment near the
site will be generally greater than 100 mg/1 (Sharma et al.
1973).
Cook Inlet is a tidal estuary and its salinity may vary
widely in areal distribution and by season. A mean salinity
value at the site would be about 15 parts-per-thousand
(Nortec 1982). During May through September, river dis-
charges decrease the salinity of the upper inlet.
Wintertime salinities rise due to greater dominance of the
ocean water inputs from the south. The water on the west
side of Cook inlet tends to be fresher than on the east
(Sharma et al. 1974; Burbank 1974).
4-49
-------
Variations in surface salinities and temperatures are
also a function of tide stage (Gatto 1976). The gradients
will be stronger on the flood tide and less on the ebb, due
to greater mixing.
The waters of western Cook Inlet are essentially
unpolluted (except for natural sediment). Some local
sources of pollution exist in the Anchorage and Kenai areas
and in association with offshore drilling platforms.
However, the flushing rate is so high that pollutants are
quickly diluted.
4.5.1.5 Ice Conditions
Ice conditions are more extreme in the northern half of
Cook Inlet than the southern. The ice derives from four
sources: sea ice, beach ice, stamukhas*, and fresh water
(river/esturary) ice. Ice floes commonly reach up to one
mile across and 3-4 feet thick in Cook Inlet. Thicker ice
also occurs from stamukhas and so tends to be softer. The
greatest ice development is in December, January, and
February. Ice floes tend to concentrate along the western
shoreline during ebb tides, passing through the site vici-
nity .
Ice movement is primarily influenced by Cook Inlet cir-
culation patterns, although this can be enhanced or retarded
by winds. Cross-inlet ice movement due to wind forces is
considered uncommon.
Local ice conditions may affect shipping and port
design. There is some indication from satellite imagery
that the Granite Point port site is somewhat protected from
the dominant out-flowing ice due to the presence of Granite
Point.
4.5.1.6 Other Marine Conditions
Corridors containing buried oil and gas pipelines
extend eastward from Granite Point to offshore oil produc-
tion platforms and across the inlet to Nixiski. Additional
pipelines extend shoreward from oil platforms in Trading
Bay. No anchoring is permitted near these corridors.
Cook Inlet is used year-round for shipping, with regu-
lar winter traffic to the Port of Anchorage. Offshore oil
platforms are common in the site's operating vicinity.
Fishing vessels operate throughout Cook Inlet during
the open-water seasons.
4-50
-------
4.5.2 Biology
4.5.2.1 Lower Trophic Levels
The estuarine habitat of upper Cook Inlet is charac-
terized by high turbidity and suspended sediment levels,
extreme tides and currents, highly variable salinity, and
seasonal ice formation (Section 4.5.1). This combination has
discouraged biological research and has lead to the widely
held conviction that, except for seasonal passage of anadro-
mous fish such as Pacific salmon and eulachon (Thaleichthys
pacificus), and the belukha whales (Delphinapteras leucas)
which feed upon them, the upper Inlet is a very unproductive
environment (Bakus et al. 1979). Bakus et al. (1979) looked
at some portions of the biological community in the vicinity
of the Anchorage airport and concluded that subtidal infauna
was essentially nonexistent and that intertidal life was
very poor. The diversity and abundance of plankton also was
less than that observed at other locations. Macroscopic
algae on the beaches in the Granite Point/Trading Bay area
are reportedly limited to mats of the green alga Vaucheria
sp. , while three additional species have been reported
elsewhere in the upper Inlet. In contrast, in an intensive
study of Knik Arm, Dames & Moore (1983) found evidence of an
active ecosystem despite these conditions and despite the
apparent low primary productivity. They found that massive
quantities of organic detritus are carried to the Inlet by
its many tributary rivers and that an abundance of a limited
number of species of large epibenthic invertebrates that are
likely detritivores* (mysids, crangonid shrimp, amphipods)
are found in the Inlet. Limited sampling in the vicinity of
Granite Point indicate that a similar invertebrate
assemblage is present at the locations of the two port site
alternatives (ERT 1984a). Infauna* at the port site is very
likely limited to a small bivalve (Macoma balthica) and uni-
dentified polychaetes (DOWL 1981).
4.5.2.2 Fish
In addition to serving as a transport pathway bringing
large quantities of organic detritus to the highly produc-
tive waters of lower Cook Inlet, the upper Inlet -is also a
migratory pathway for anadromous fish including all five
eastern-Pacific species of salmon as well as eulachon,
smelts (Osmeridae) and Bering cisco (Coregonus laurettae).
A number of species of marine fish have been taken in upper
Cook Inlet (Table 4-14) although their significance does not
compare with that in the lower Inlet (Blackburn 1978).
Limited late-summer beach seine sampling in the North Fore-
land area captured 10 species of fish, including pink, chum,
and coho salmon as well as Dolly Varden (age unspecified,
ERT 1984a). A more intensive spring sampling regime in Knik
Arm (Dames & Moore 1983) collected 18 species including five
not previously reported from the upper Inlet which must be
4-51
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Table 4-14
FISH SPECIES KNOWN TO OCCUR IN UPPER COOK INLET
Scientific Name
on Name
Spacing Period''
Time Spent in
Marine Environment
Fish
Salmon id ae
Dncorhynchua ggrbyacha
0. keta
0. kisutch
0. nerka
0. tahaxytscha
Salroo gairdneri
Salvelinus maim a
Coregonus laurettae
Osneridae
Hypomesua pretiosua
Sperinchus thaleichthys
Thaleichthy3 pacificus
Clupeidae
Clupea harengus paiiasi
Gadidae
Gadu3 microeephal ua
Theraqra ehalcogramma
Elqinu3 gracilia
Gasterosteidae
Gasterosteus aeuleatua
Pyngitius pungitius
Liparidae
Liparis rutteri
Cottidae
Leptocottua armatua
Pleuroneetidae
Platichthya stellatus
Hippoglossoides eleasodon
Hippoglossua stenolepis
Limanda aspera
Trout, salmon, whits fish
Pink (humpback) salmon
Dion (dog) salmon
Coha (silver) salmon
Sockexe (red) salmon
Chinook (king) salmon
Steel he ad (rainbow)
trout 2
CLUy Varden
Bering ciaco
Snelts
Surf aieit
Long fin smelt
Eulachon
Pacific herring
Cddfiahes
Pacific cod
Walleya pollock
Saffron cod
Sticklebacks
Threespine stickleback
Ninespine stickleiaack
Snail fish
Ringtail snail fish
Sculpina
Pacific ataghorn
aculpin
Fl cinders
Starry fiotnder
Flathead sole
Pacific halibut
Yellowfin sole
mic iuly - early Sept.
ear.y Aug. - early Oct.
eariy Aug. - Feb.
early- Aug. - Nov.
mid- June - mid-Aug.
fall - spring
fall
faU(?)
Merch to May
Oct. to Dec.
mid- to late May
spring
usually Jan. & Feb.
winter
Jyne to July
Hay to July
Oat. to March
March to April
March to lata April
winter
1+ year
2-4 years
1 -3 year
1 - 4 years
1-6 years
2 wo. - 4 years
several weeks
to 6-7 months
2-3 months per year
entire life cycle
1-2 years
entire life cycle
except about 2 weeks
entire life cycle
entire life cycle
entire life cycle
entire life cycle
variable, but anadromous
fowts spend up to 1 year
in fresh water before
moving to sea
variable, always spawn
in fresh water
entire life cycle
entire life cjcle
entire life cycle
entire life cycla
entire life cycle
entire life cycle
Sourcea: ERT 19B4a, Dames 4 Hsore 1983, Scott and Grossman 1973.
' No anadrewoua rainbows are knowi from rivers north of east and west fore-
landsi however, Dames 4 Moore (1983) captured a single sexually mature
rainbow (195 mm [7.7 in]) in uper Cook Inlet in May 1983,
4-52
-------
assumed to also occur seasonally in the study area (Table
4-14). More importantly, the Knik Arm study proved that
fish do more than just migrate through the upper Inlet;
many, including juvenile salmon, feed on the abundant epi-
fauna in the area, while others, such as smelt and Pacific
herring (Clupea harengus) may spawn on the beaches of the
upper Inlet.
Use of the study area beaches and nearshore waters for
these functions is unknown; however, given the considerable
human activity in the area, significant beach spawning would
not likely have gone unnoticed. Beaches in the study area
do not appear unique in, any way and the Knik Arm study did
not detect any particlar preferences of fish for specific
beach types. Certainly, there is considerable feeding by
juvenile anadromous fish in the area, particularly on the
broad flats and tidal channels of Trading Bay and around the
mouth of the Chuitna River. Adult salmon returning along
the shoreline to their natal streams probably do not feed
extensively in the upper Inlet. For them, the study area
shoreline likely is an extremely important migratory pathway
providing access to the numerous rivers to the north.
Commercial fisheries in the area are discussed in Section
4.5.3.
4.5.2.3 Birds and Mammals
Most beaches, mud flats, and nearshore waters of upper
Cook Inlet are not heavily utilized by waterfowl and marine
birds (Dames & Moore 1983). Small numbers of gulls
(Laridae) and sea ducks rest on the water surface but
foraging opportunities are limited by the high turbidity.
Scarcity of infauna likewise may discourage use by shore-
birds, except in small bays and at the mouth of creeks and
rivers. An exception to this generally low use by birds
occurs in the large saltmarsh and mud flat areas of Trading
Bay to the south and the Susitna Flats to the north, as well
as the much smaller flats around the mouth of the Chuitna
River and between Granite Point and Nikolai Creek. These
areas are very important spring and fall staging areas for a
number of waterfowl and shorebird species and are important
sport hunting areas as well (see Section 4.10.2). In addi-
tion, a small (estimated 30 nesting pairs) colony of
glaucous-winged gulls is located about 0.8 km (0.5 mi) north
of the proposed Ladd port site (ERT 1986).
Only two of the 21 species of marine mammals reported
from lower Cook Inlet are common in the upper Inlet; these
are belukha (beluga) whale (Delphinapterus leucas} and har-
bor seal (Phoca yitLulina) (Calkins 1981). In the study
area, both species are common primarily in the spring and
summer when they feed on anadromous fish near the mouths of
rivers. The area from Trading Bay to the Susitna River
appears to be especially important for belukhas with
numerous sightings near the mouth of the Beluga River during
4-53
-------
July of 1982 and 1983 by baseline study team members (ERT
1984a). The area between the Beluga and Susitna rivers may
also be a significant calving and/or nursery area for
belukhas (Calkins 1981).
Information on the life history of harbor seals in
upper Cook Inlet is incomplete? however, they are common at
times in certain areas (ERT 1984a) . Harbor seals are pre-
sent from May to September. During the winter months, they
most likely move to Lower Cook in...et. Like the belukha,
they appear to feed on anadromous fish, following them to,
and into, the mouths of the Inlet's tributary r_ ers.
4.5.2.4 Threatened or Endangered Species
None of the marine biota known to frequent the study
ar-a are considered endangered or threatened.
4.5.3 Commercial Fisheries
The only significant commercial fishery in' upper Cook
Inlet is that for the five species of Pacific salmon. Above
the East and West Forelands, all commercial fishing is by
set net (fixed gill net). Tyonek residents held 26 set net
permits in 1983. The -area from Chuit flats to Threemile
Creek is fished intensively; set net sites are nearly con-
tinuous. Commercial fishing is somewhat less intensive from
Chult Flats to Granite Point. Permits in this area are held
almost exclusively by Tyonek residents. From Granite Point
west to within 1.6 km (1 mi) of Nikolai Creek, there are
some 14 permits held and fished by local residents or lease
holders (individuals leasing fishing camp sites).
The combined total catch of all species of salmon in
ADF&G statistical areas 247-10 (West- Foreland to Granite
Point) and 247-20 (Granite Point to Threemile Creek) have
averaged 4 percent of the total upper Inlet catch over the
last 19 years (Table 4-15). While numbers of fish taken in
these two reporting subareas have increased in the last 5
years, the percentage contribution to the total upper Inlet
fishery has declined to 2.9 percent (based on 1980-1984
averages; Table 4-15), probably due to increased effort in
other portions of the upper Inlet. The two commercial
fishery subareas on either side of Granite Point contribute
the highest percentage of pink and coho salmon (6 and 7.3
percent, respectively, using 1980-1984 averages) and the
lowest percentage of chum and sockeye (0.7 percent each
using 1980-1984 averages). This harvest distribution coin-
cides to a degree with the relative importance of these spe-
cies in the Chuitna River, although what proportion of the
catch is actually contributed by the Chuitna System has not
been determined.
4-54
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Table 4-15
UPPER COOK INLET SALMON CATCH SUMMAIIV 1966-19U4
1
ui
LOCATION1
EVEN YEAH
CHINOOK SOCKEYE CUHO PINK
1966-84 1900-84 1966-84 19110-84 1966-04 19BU-U4 1966-84 19tiU-b4
AVE S2 AVE % AVE % AVE % AVE S AVE £ AVE 8, AVE S
UPPER COOK INLET 11956.9 10U.O 15262.0 100.0 1569B08.0 100.0 2658000.0 100.0 2B5337.U 10U.O 5018U1.0. 1UU.O 1236872.U 1UU.U 1U&6529.U 1UO.U
(No. of Anchor PI .)
NOR TIE UN DISTRICT 15B3.Q 13.2 1250.0 8.2 105224.Q 6.? 173707.0 6.5 61154.0 21.4 94799.0 1B.9 2541BU.U 1B.9 217245.U 211.4
(No. of forelands)
GENERAL SUBOISTRICT 1006.0 8.4 1U01.0 6.6 61218.0 3.9 105884.0 4.0 50025.0 17.5 77U90.0 15.5 2U9V6J.U 17.0 19Ulyu.U 10.6
(West side of Inlet)
AREA 247-10
(W. Foreland
Granite Pt .)
425.0
3.6 317.0 2.1 11463.0 0.7 15874.0 0.6 14184.0 5.0 18231.0 3.6 56940.0 4.6 43375.0 4.1
A«EA 247-20 222,0 1.9 1B3.0 1.2 13421.0 0.9 21785.0 O.B 12910.0 4.5 1B753.0 3.7 465B4.Q 3.8 33032.D 3.1
(Rranite Pt . to
Threemile Creek)
LOCATION1
ODD YEAR
PINK CHUH ALL SPECIES
1966-B4 1980-84 1966-84 1980-84 1966-84 198U-84
AVE % AVE S AVE S AVE S AVE % AVE %
COOK INLET 176448.0 100.0 90748.0 100.0 703945,0 100.0 U91441.0 1QO.O 3305607,0 10U.O 4773UOQ.Q 10U.O
(No. of Anchor PI.}
NORTHERN DISTRICT 52283.0 29.6 37465,0 37.9 31522.0 4.5 42222.0 4.7 34750U.O 1U.5 457291.0 9.6
(No. of Forelands)
GCNCKAL SUBOlSntlCT 46671.0 26.5 3335U.O 33.8 28853.0 4.1 36284.0 4.1 273717.0 U. 3 353317.0 7.4
(West side of Inlet)
AREA 247-10
(W. ForelstKl
Granite Pt.)
11450.0
6.5 4960.0 5.0 4323.0 U.6 4140.0 0.5 65791.0 2.0 66671. U 1.4
AREA 247-20 U81B.O 7.8 11725.0 11.9 0533.0 1.2 8262.0 0.9 66150.0 2.0 75492.U 1.5
(f.ranite Pt . to
Ihreemile Creek)
1 Diila frtm K. Inrbox, Afif&n Ciimmcrical Fish Division, Solclotna; 1904 data are preliminary;
Upper Inlet includes all gear types; uther sihareas ure only fislied by set nut.
2 All percent.!! sire given au a |»;rcenta«je nf Lhe total upper Inlet harvest.
-------
4.6 METEOROLOGY, AIR QUALITY, AND NOISE
4.6.1 Meteorology
The regional climate near the project site is most
noticeably influenced by regional topography and bodies of
water. The Chugach Mountains to the south act as a barrier
to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Alaska, decreasing local
precipitation to less than 20 percent of that measured on
the Gulf of Alaska side of the Chugach Range, The Alaska
Range to the west and north acts as a barrier to very cold
winter air masses which dominate the Alaska interior. Cook
Inlet tends to moderate temperatures in the project area.
A one-year meteorological monitoring program was con-
ducted at the project site from April 1983 through March
1984 (Science Applications, Inc. 1984). Two monitoring
sites were installed: one near the proposed surface coal
mine and a second near the proposed Granite Point port faci-
lities. Wind speed, wind direction, and temperature were
measured at 12 meters (39.4 ft) above ground level at both
sites.
Seasonal wind roses for the two sites, given in Figures
4-10 and 4-11, show a predominant southerly flow during the
summer months and a predominant northerly flow during the
rest of the year. At Granite Point, north and northeast
wind directions occur most frequently during the fall,
winter, and spring seasons while the most frequent wind
directions during the summer are south-southwest and south
with a secondary maximum at north-northeast. At the coal
mine site, the predominant wind directions measured were
north-northwest and north during the fall and winter, north-
northwest through north-northeast with a small secondary
maximum at south-southeast during the spring, and south
through southwest with a large secondary maximum about north
during the summer. Wind speeds at both sites were relative-
ly light, averaging 3.1 m/sec (6.9 mph) and 2.4 m/sec (5.4
mph) for the monitored year at the port and coal mine sites,
respectively.
The climates of Anchorage and Kenai are similar to that
of the project area due to the influence of the Chugach and
Alaska mountain ranges and Cook Inlet. Seasonal wind roses
for Anchorage (Figure 4-12) show a northerly flow during
fall and winter and a southerly flow in spring and summer.
North to northeast winds occur during the fall and winter
months, while south to southeast winds dominate during the
spring and summer months. Wind speeds at Anchorage are com-
parable to those of the project area, averaging 3.3 m/sec
(7.3 mph).
Wind roses for Kenai (Figure 4-13) also show a strong
northerly flow during fall and winter and a more subtle
southerly flow in spring and summer. North to north-
4-56
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NNW
1,80
NW
1.SO
WNW
1.30
W
1.10
WSW
1.00
SW
1.90
NNE
2.60
NE
2.60
Summer
NNW
2.10
NW
1.90
WNW
1.50
W
1.70
WSW
1.60
SW
3.00
SSW
6.10
ESE
1.70
Fall
NW
1.80
WNW
1.10
WSW
1.60
SW
2.40
NNW
2.00
NNW
1,60
NW
1.70
WNW
1.50
ESE
0.90
WSW
1.20
SE
0.90
SW
1.90
SSE
1.40
Winter
NNE
3.80
NE
3.70
ESE
1.60
Spring
NUMBERS INDICATE SECTOR MEAN WIND SPEED (METERS/SEC.)
SOURCE: SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INC., 1984
WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION
GRANITE POINT PORT SITE
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-10
4-57
-------
NNW
1.80
NW
1.TO
WNW
1,80
WSW
1.60
SW
2.00
ESE
1.80
SSE
2.00
Summer
NNW
2.70
WNW
2.00
ESE
1.80
Fa!!
NNW
2,80
NW
1.70
WNW
1.90
W
1.60
WSW
1.30
SW
2.20
NNE
2.20
NE
1.80
NNW
2,20
NNE
2.20
NW
1.70
NE
1.70
WNW
1.80
ESE
0.90
SW
1.70
SSW
2,60
Winter
Spring
NUMBERS INDICATE SECTOR MEAN WIND SPEED (METERS/SEC.)
SOURCE: SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INC., 1984
WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION
MINE SITE
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-11
4-58
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NNW
NW
5.00
NE
3.10
WNW
5.40
W
5.20
WSW
4,90
ENE
4.30
sw
5.50
SSW
6.90
Summer
NNW
e,6o
N
7.20
NNE
B.ao
NW
0.30
WNW
fi,00
NE
wsw
4,10
sw
8,00
Fall
NNW
7.SO
N
7,60
NNE
7.70
NW
5.60
NE
6.30
WNW
5.10
W
4.60
WSW
4.30
NNE
S.20
NW
8,30
NE
8.SO
WNW
5,30
W
8.90
NE
ESE
SW
5.30
SW
5.70
SSE
a. 70
Winter
Spring
KIND SPEED (WSE
D 0-3
B 4-6
m 7-10
NUMBERS INDICATE SECTOR MEAN WIND SPEED (KNOTS)
li-16
17-21
WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION
ANCHORAGE
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-12
4-59
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NW
5.50
WNW
s.oo
W
6,30
wsw
7.10
sw
7.30
NNW
7.30
ssw
e.90
N
7.90
NNE
7.70
ESE
4.60
SE
5.00
Summer
NNW
B.BO
N
1,29
NW
8.60
wsw
6.70
SW
8.00
SSW
11.20
NNE
a.so
SSE
B.OO
Fall
ssw
9.30
NNW
7,80
N
8.20
NW
5.90
WNW
6.70
W
7.00
WSW
7, BO
SW
7.BO
Winter
NNE
9.30
NE
6.70
SE
Spring
•Him SPEED BAN6E
D 0 -3
• 4 - 6
m 7-10
NUMBERS INDICATE SECTOR MEAN WIND SPEED (KNOTS)
11-16
17-21
>22
WIND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION
KENAI
Diamond Cnu'rtna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-13
4-60
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northeast winds are dominant during the fall and winter
months, while south to southwest winds are frequent in
spring and summer. Wind speeds at Kenai are similar to
those at the project sites and Anchorage, averaging
3.4 m/sec (7.5 mph).
Monthly temperatures measured at the project monitoring
sites are given in Table 4-16. Temperatures measured at the
port site were slightly warmer than the mine site, par-
ticularly during the winter, with the mine site exhibiting
slightly higher maximum daily temperatures in the summer.
This pattern is typical for a shoreline environment and
demonstrates the moderating effect of Cook Inlet on ambient
temperatures. Maximum and minimum temperatures measured at
either site were 22°C (71°F) and -22°C (-7°F), respectively.
Temperature and precipitation summaries from a one-year
monitoring program near Kenai (June 1981 through May 1982)
are also given in Table 4-16. No site-specific precipita-
tion data were measured at either project monitoring site.
Average yearly precipitation in the Chuitna Basin is
approximately 122 cm (48 inches), which is considerably
greater than the 39 cm (15.4 inches) measured near Kenai.
This difference is due to orographic* effects reflecting the
higher elevations in the Chuitna Basin area. In 1983, snow
depths in the area varied from 58 cm (23 in) near Congahbuna
Lake to 229 cm (90 in) on Capps Plateau.
4.6.2 Air Quality
Air quality data for the project site area were
available from the following programs:
0 Monitoring site operated for Tesoro Petroleum near
Kenai during June 1981 through May 1982 (All major
criteria pollutants were measured except lead)
0 ADEC Total Suspended Particulate monitor located
on the Beluga Power station during April 1978
through May 1979
° ADEC S02 monitoring site located near Kenai at Wik
Lake for November 1982 through May 1983.
Maximum measured concentrations from the Tesoro and
Beluga monitoring sites are compared to ambient air quality
standards in Table 4-17. These data indicate that measured
ambient background levels of all major pollutants were
significantly less than applicable standards. Sulphur
dioxide (S02) data measured at the Wik Lake monitor during
the available data period were nearly always 0 ppb (1-hour
measurement) with an occasional 5 ppb reading which may have
been due to instrument zero drift.
Since the project site is considerably more remote than
the Tesoro monitoring site, air quality is expected to be
better than that presented in Table 4-17.
4-61
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Table 4-16
MONTHLY
TEMPERATURE (
SUMMARY FOR
°C) AND PRECIPITATION (cm)
PROJECT REGION
Month
Monthly Average
Temperature
Average Dai ly
Max. Temperature
Average Daily
Min. Temperature
Monthly!
Precipi tation
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
YEAR
Port
-4
-5
3
3
8
12
13
13
8
3
1
-4
4
Mine
-5
-6
2
2
7
12
13
12
6
0
0
-4
3
Kenai
-12
-8
-3
0
5
10
12
11
9
3
-4
-8
1
Port
_2
-2
5
5
11
15
15
15
11
5
2
-1
7
Mi ne
-3
-3
4
4
10
15
16
15
9
3
2
-2
6
Port
-7
-7
1
1
5
9
11
10
5
0
-1
-6
2
Mine
-8
-8
0
0
4
8
9
9
3
-1
-1
-5
1
Kenai
0.
2.
2.
0.
1.
2.
5.
4.
6.
12.
4.
1.
39.
•"• given as liquid water equivalent
Source: Science Applications, Inc. 1984; Radian Corp. 1982
4-62
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Table 4-17
REGIONAL MEASURED AIR QUALITY DATA
(micrograms/cubic meter)
^ifp/Pnl Infant
1-hour
FEDERAL AND ALASKA
AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
N02 - a
SQ2
CO 40000
03 235
PM
TESORO PETROLEUM
N02
S02
CO 2560
U3 96
PM
BELUGA
PM
3-hour 8-hour 24-hour Annual
100
1300 - 365 80
10000
150 60
6.3
70 - 9 0.3
1660
60 9
78 - b
a indicates that an air quality standard does not exist for this pollutant
and averaging time; hence, no measured air quality data will be presented.
° Mo annual average PM concentration was calculated for Beluga due to the
large amount of missing data.
Source: Chappie 1985; Radian Corp. 1982
4-63
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4.6.3 Sound Climate
The project area in the vicinity of the proposed mine
and transportation corridor is expected to experience sound
levels typical of remote locations unaffected by human acti-
vities. Typical natural sound levels are approximately 45
db(A) with higher levels of natural sound of about 65 db(A)
associated with storms and wildlife. Sources of natural
noise include winds, rain, and wildlife vocalizations.
The project area in the. vicinity of the Cook Inlet
coast experiences higher background noise levels. Cook
Inlet contributes higher noise levels because of breaking
waves and winter ice movements. Human activities are also
more frequent near the coast. Some examples of human-
generated noise include vessels (such as diesel-powered
boats on Cook Inlet), aircraft (a landing strip is located
approximately 2 miles from the proposed Granite Point port
site), and other mobile vehicles such as snowmobiles and
all-terrain vehicles. Typical noise levels for vehicles and
aircraft are 80 to 95 db(A) at a distance of 50 feet.
Commercial and noncommercial aircraft on route from
Anchorage to southwestern Alaska locations fly over the pro-
ject area routinely at varying altitudes.
4.7 SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS
The project site is located about 75 air miles west of
Anchorage in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and about ten miles
west of the Native village of Tyonek. Socioeconomic impacts
would likely derive from increased income and employment of
residents of both Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula Borough,
particularly the City of Kenai and the Village of Tyonek.
The City of 'Kenai is the Borough seat of government and its
most populous city; Tyonek is the nearest community to the
project site. The following description of the socioecono-
mic environment focuses on conditions in the Kenai Peninsula
Borough, the Municipality of Anchorage, and the community of
Tyonek.
4.7.1 Anchorageand Kenai Peninsula
4.7.1.1 Population
The population of Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula
Borough grew rapidly between 1970 and 1984, exceeding the
substantial statewide growth of 77.8 percent. Anchorage
grew from 126,385 persons in 1970 to 244,030 in 1984-an
increase of 93.1 percent. The Kenai Peninsula Borough popu-
lation increased by 134.6 percent from 16,586 in 1970 to
38,919 by 1982 (Alaska Department of Labor 1984). The City
of Kenai grew by 42.8 percent over this period, from 4,324
to 6,176 persons. The Central Kenai Peninsula, which in-
cludes the area within primary commuting distance of the
4-64
-------
City of Kenai, had a 1984 population of 24,643. Historical
population trends are summarized in Table 4-18.
The State of Alaska currently has no official popula-
tion projections for either the Kenai Peninsula Borough or
Anchorage (Williams 1985). Population forecasts used here
assume a slowdown of growth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough
from 11.1 percent annually over the 1980-84 period to 5 per-
cent per year through 1992. Thus, by 1992. the population of
the Kenai Peninsula Borough is expected to be approximately
57,500. The 1992 populations of the City of Kenai and the
Central Kenai Peninsula are projected to be 9,100 and 36,400
respectively, based on a 5 percent average annual increase.
Preliminary draft population projections for Anchorage indi-
cate a high projection of 314,800 by 1990, a low projection
of 273,100, and a medium or most likely population of
292,300 (Breedlove 1985).
4.7.1.2 Economy
The following discussions of the economies of the Kenai
Peninsula Borough and Anchorage focus on the cash economy.
Subsistence activities, which provide food and sustenance
for many residents of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, are not
reflected in the statistical data presented. Therefore,
comparisons of data for Anchorage, in which relatively
little subsistence activity occurs, to data for the Kenai
Peninsula Borough, where substantial subsistence activities
are conducted, must be made carefully. A discussion of
subsistence activities of the Tyoneks is presented in
Section 4,9.
The economies of the Kenai Peninsula Borough and
Anchorage are distinctly different. While employment in
Anchorage is relatively concentrated in trade, service, and
federal government, employment in .the Kenai Peninsula
Borough is based primarily on resource development
industries and state and local government.
Over time, employment patterns in the Kenai Peninsula
Borough indicate a proportional drop (but a small numerical
increase) in mining employment (the standard industrial code
of mining includes oil and gas extraction). The loss of
federal government jobs since 1970 has been counteracted by
increases in state and local government, employment, manu-
facturing (including petrochemical industry), and the ser-
vice sector (trade, services, and'finance, insurance, and
real estate). The sectors that bring new income into the
region (the "basic" or "export" sectors) are primarily
federal government, mining, and manufacturing. Tourism is
also an important basic sector, but existing data do not
isolate tourist-serving employment and therefore the
employment involved is not readily quantifiable.
The Anchorage economy has diversified since 1970 and
has become more service-oriented. Dependence on federal
4-65
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Table 4-18
POPULATION TRENDS IN ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE, AND THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
Population
Jurisdiction 1970(a) 198Q(a) 1982
Alaska Statewide 302,583 401,851 460,837(b)
Anchorage 126,333 174,431 204,216(0
Kenai Pen. Borough 16,586 25,282 5,23l(d)
-Central Kenai Pen. Bor. na 15,672(e) 19,886(f)
1984
538,000(c)
244,030(c)
6,176(0
24,643(f)
(a) Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census counts for years indicated.
(b) Source: Alaska Department of Labor 1984.
(c) Source: Van Patten 1985.
(d) Source: Kenai Peninsula Borough 1984.
(e) Source: Unavailable from census in geographically-consistent form.
Figure is cited from 1978 special census conducted by Kenai
Peninsula Borough which resulted in total Borough population
estimate very close to the 1980 census estimate, considered by
local planners to be a substantial undercount (Mcllhargy 1985).
(f) Source: Mcllhargy 1985.
4-66
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government employment has declined and the proportion of
employment in all other economic sectors has increased.
Unemployment rates in the Kenai Peninsula Borough have
historically been substantially higher than those in Anchor-
age, as well as more subject to seasonal swings. Over
recent years, the average annual unemployment rate in the
Kenai Peninsula Borough has ranged from a high of 15.9 per-
cent in 1982 to a low of 10.1 percent in 1977. The monthly
unemployment rate, however, has been nearly 22 percent
during winter months. Unemployment in Anchorage has
remained within a narrow 7 to 8 percent range and exhibits
relatively modest seasonal changes.
Unemployed workers in the Kenai Division tend to have
previous experience in the oil and gas and construction
industries, compared to the statewide average. Of the 2,165
unemployment claims filed with the Kenai office- of the
Alaska Department of Employment Security in 1982, 16.6 per-
cent, or about 360, listed oil and gas as the last industry
of employment and 24.8 percent, or about 540, listed
construction. The corresponding Anchorage local office
figures indicate that 22 percent of the unemployment
insurance applications listed construction as last industry
of employment. Oil and gas was listed by 6.4 percent. In
terms of skills, structural work was the occupation listed
by most applicants in either office (40.9 percent for Kenai
and 28.7 percent for Anchorage) (Alaska Department of Labor
1984) . It should be noted that there are probably fewer
individuals represented by the above data which was taken
from the number of applications, since some applicants pro-
bably applied twice or more during the course of the year.
However, since only the last industry of employment and
occupation are listed on unemployment insurance applica-
tions, the figures above probably understate the actual
experience of applicants over their careers.
The Borough-wide employment-to-population .ratio was 36
percent in 1984. Since labor force participation rates will
likely continue to increase, a projected employment-to-
population ratio of 40 percent is used herein. The area
included within the primary Kenai commuting area is the
Central Kenai Peninsula (CKP), consisting of Sterling,
Soldotna, Ridgeway, Kalifonski, Kenai, Salamatof, Nikiski,
and Tustumena. This area had a population of 24,643 in 1984
and is projected to grow by 5 percent annually without the
project, to 30,000 by 1988 and 36,400 by 1992, If 40 per-
cent of the population is employed, the number of employed
residents of the CKP would be about 12,000 in 1988 and
14,600 by 1992. If the assumed annual Borough-wide popula-
tion growth rate of 5 percent (Section 4.7.1.1) applies to
the City of Kenai's employment base, about 3,000 of its
residents would be employed by 1988 and about 3,700 by 1992.
Per capita personal income in the Kenai-Cook Inlet
Division was 513,394 in 1982. This was somewhat below the
4-67
-------
statewide average of $16,598 and the Anchorage Division
figure of 518,429 (U.S. Department of Commerce 1984a).
Cost-of-living differentials between these three areas,
however, prevent accurate comparison in terms of real
income,
4.7.1.3 Community Facilities and Services
As Alaska's primary urban area, Anchorage is in general
well-served by all facilities and services necessary for
urban life, making detailed discussion unnecessary. For a
smaller community, the City of Kenai is also generally well-
served by sewer, water, and road systems and public services
such as fire and police protection and education.
Public Services and Facilities in Kenai
Kenai's water system services much of the city, with
about 1,100 residential connections (compared to an esti-
mated 2,446 housing units in 1984 [Kenai Peninsula Borough
1984J) serving 3,500 people and under 100 commercial connec-
tions. The City's water source is the aquifer at Beaver
Creek, which is of excellent quality and requires only
chlorination at the wellhead. The combined design capacity
of the City's two water pump stations is about 2,000 gallons
per minute, or about 2.9 million gallons per day (gpd).
Daily water demand averages slightly less than 500,000 gpd,
with a peak of about 1,200,000 gpd (Lashot 1985).
Kenai's sewer system also services much of the City,
with about 1,100 of the City's homes currently connected.
The total volume of effluent treated averages 800,000 gpd.
With a design capacity of 1,300,000 gpd, the system is
expected to be adequate to service the City's needs through
the early 199" • Solid waste is disposed of at a landfill
operated by th,
-------
Emergency medical care in Kenai is provided by the Fire
Department. Patients are usually brought to the Central
Peninsula General Hospital (CPGH) in Soldotna; more serious
cases are treated at Anchorage hospitals (Winston 1985).
CPGH, the primary health care center on the Kenai Peninsula,
provides 24-hour emergency service, four-bed intensive care
unit, and an obstetrics unit. The staff consists of 18
MD's, 20 RN's, and 13, LPN's. During summer 1985, the
emergency room and obstetrics unit was expanded, another MD
was hired, and a 16-bed chemical dependency unit was con-
structed .
CPGH's 45 beds have an average capacity utilization
rate of 35 percent and peak use of 100 percent. Utilization
has leveled off in the past year due to increased emphasis
on outpatient rather than inpatient care. Demand for beds
is somewhat below the national average of about 3 beds per
1000 population, due primarily to the young age of the popu-
lation in the CPGH service area (Nichols 1985).
Education is provided by the Kenai Peninsula Borough
School District, which operates a high school, junior high
school, and two elementary schools in the City of Kenai.
Total enrollment has increased from 1,252 students in
October 1980 (Kenai Peninsula Borough 1984) to 1,878 in May
1985 (Overman 1985). The District employs 124 teachers at
its Kenai schools, for a relatively low student-teacher
ratio of 15:1 (Jewell 1985). Subject to bond issue approval
by voters, a construction program would increase the capa-
city of Kenai's schools from 2,250 to 2,750, adequate to
handle enrollment growth until about 1990, if 7 percent
average annual enrollment growth occurs. In the Kenai-
Nikiski-Soldotna-Sterling area, planned construction would
increase total capacity to 9,475 (subject to voter
approval). This increase would be sufficient to accommodate
projected enrollment until the 1992-1993 school year.
4.7,1.4 Local and Regional Governance
The primary government jurisdiction in the region of
the site is the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Under state law,
boroughs can exercise a variety of powers, including provi-
sion of education, land use planning, platting and zoning,
public safety, and other services, and may collect property,
sales, and use taxes levied within their boundaries.
The Borough does not currently have a land use plan for
the site area. A coastal zone management plan for the
Beluga coal field area was formulated by the Borough in 1980
but was never implemented.
The State of Alaska is also an important government
entity by virtue of its land holdings in the site area, per-
mitting authority, and power to levy taxes on resource
developments.
4-69
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4.7.2 Tyonek
4.7.2.1 Demography
Tyonek1s February 1984 population of 273 residents was
approximately 95 percent Native (Fall et al. 1984). Village
officials estimate the February 1985 population at 325
people. The rate of population growth in Tyonek has fluc-
tuated throughout the past century (Table 4-19). The
village population declined in the late 1800s and eventually
crashed in 1918 as a result of a devastating influenza epi-
demic. Since 1920, the population has gradually increased
with only a slight decline between the 1940 and 1950 cen-
suses. In the 1960s, the town experienced a growth rate of
about 2.4 percent annually. The population growth rate
dropped during the 1970s, however, stagnating at about 0.3
percent annually. This decline in population growth was due
to outmigration (McCord 1985) since both employment oppor-
tunities and subsistence resources were in short supply
throughout the 1970s. The population has grown by approxi-
mately 3.5 percent annually between 1980 and 1984.
As presented in Figure 4-14, 78 percent of the popula-
tion is under 35 years of age (Fall et al. 1984). Although
this segment of the population was represented equally by
males and females, the male/female ratio is disproportionate
in certain age groups. There were 66 males and 45 females
between the ages of 15 and 34. This may possibly be due to
a higher outmigration of females. In contrast, there were
59 girls and 34 boys under 15 years of age.
Table 4-19
POPULATION OF TYONEK, ALASKA, 1880-1984
1880
1890
1900
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1984
117
115
107
58
78
136
132
187
232
239
273
Source: Fall et al. 1984; Darbyshire and Associates 1981a
4-70
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O
Gtf
a
Female
4S.2%
1 (.4%)
1 (.4%)
3(1.1%)
(.7%) 2 Hi 0
(1.9%) 5
(-4%) 1 W\ 2 (J%)
(2,2%) 6 0
(1.9%) 5
9 (3.4%)
(4.1%) 11
7 (2.6%)
(5.6%) 15
(5.6%) 15
12 (4.5%)
16 (6.0%)
10 (3.7%)
(5.2%) 14
(2.9%) 8
(4.5%) 12
= 80
22 (8.2%)
19 (7.1%)
18 (6.7%)
25 20 15 10 5 0 5 10 15 20 25
NUMBER OF PEOPLE
SOURCE: FALL, FOSTER, STANEK, ADF&G, DIVISION OF SUBSISTENCE TECHNICAL REPORT *105.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, 1984.
POPULATION PROFILE BY AGE AND SEX, TYONEK, FEBRUARY, 1984
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
4-71
FIGURE 4-14
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4.7.2.2 Economy
Tyonek residents participate in a mixed economy that
requires integration of elements of both subsistence and
cash production into a unified economic strategy (Fall et
al. 1984). For example, cash is required to purchase
equipment necessary to harvest subsistence resources.
Although the two production strategies are related, their
integration is often difficult. A successful renewable
resource harvester must be willing to wait for suitable
weather and adapt to the seasonal availability and variable
migration patterns of targeted resources. This flexibility
is frequently incompatible with full-time employment.
Hence, employers are often faced with absenteeism and vil-
lagers must choose between work and subsistence resource
harvesting. Layoffs, seasonal job fluctuations, and chronic
unemployment and underemployment are perennial problems in
Tyonek. This general situation was illustrated by the
construction of a logging and chip mill operation by Kodiak
Lumber, Mills (KLM) in 1975. Despite high unemployment and
KLM's apparent desire to hire local workers, problems simi-
lar to those described above were encountered and KLM even-
tually found it necessary to replace much of the Tyonek work
force with non-locals. By 1979, only eight Tyonek villagers
worked for KLM (Braund and Behnke 1980) compared with a
maximum of approximately 30 Tyonek residents employed by KLM
in 1976 (McCord 1985) .
Tyonek villagers had an average 1983 household income
of $12,853, with the median income about $11,000 (Darbyshire
and Associates 1984a). In addition, Darbyshire and
Associates found that, of a total local workforce of 145
villagers, 41 held full-time jobs in 1983 (Table 4-20).
Darbyshire (1984a) estimated that an additional 63 part-time
and seasonal jobs existed. Hence, 104 people- were
unemployed or underemployed in Tyonek in 1983, inoluding
those involved in commercial fishing and other part-time or
seasonal opportunities. This high level of unemployment and
underemployment is a serious impediment to the economic
health of the community.
Positions with the Tyonek village council, Native
Village of Tyonek (NVT) accounted for 19 (51 percent) of the
37 full-time jobs in Tyonek in 1983. These positions in-
cluded: village president, equipment operators, secretaries,
custodians, fire and patrol men, a nurse, health aide, and
others. The Kenai Peninsula Borough employed five villagers
full-time in 1983 in the school. In addition, six full-time
positions were filled in private enterprises such as the
local store. The remainder of the full-time positions were
offered by a range of local industries including construc-
tion, transportation, utilities, and through state and
federally funded programs. Changes in employment oppor-
tunities after 1983 include creation of approximately two
positions in coal exploration, six carpentry positions for
4-72
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Table 4-20
TOTAL VILLAGE INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT, BY INDUSTRY
VILLAGE OF TYONEK, ALASKA, 19831
Industry
Commercial Fishing
Construction
Cottage Industry
Transportation
Conwunications/Uti 1 i ties
Trade/Private Services
Real Estate
Vi 1 lage Government
Borough School
State & Federal Agencies/Services
Total Employment in Tyonek
Outside Employment2
Transfer Payments
Ful 1-time
0
1
0
1
2
6
0
19
5
3
37
4
Seasonal/
Part-time
51
1
2
0
0
2
0
1
6
0
63
0
Annual
Income
$ 142,500
15,000
1,500
14,600
30,600
132,825
33,400
282,325
89,455
82,000
$ 824,205
73,700
258,837
TOTAL VILLAGE
EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME 41 63 $1,156,742
•"• Does not include Tyonek Native Corporation jobs filled by
non-villagers.
Residents who leave Tyonek periodically to work outside the
community,
t
Source; Derbyshire and Associates (1984a)
4-73
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construction of the new tribal center, and two Chuitna River
sportfish guiding businesses, one of which is based in
Tyonek (McCord 1985).
The 63 possible part-time and/or seasonal employment
opportunities were dominated by commercial fishing with
seasonal positions available for approximately 51 people,
including 26 limited entry salmon permit holders and their
crew members. In 1983, 28 households derived a total income
of $142,500 from commercial fishing for an average of $5,089
per household or $5,700 per permit (Darbyshire and
Associates 1984a; Fall et al. 1984). In 1982, gross earn-
ings from commercial fishing in Tyonek were slightly below
1983 fishing incomes at $4,753 per permit (Fall et al.
1984) . Although data from only two years cannot be con-
sidered representative, commercial fishing earnings in
Tyonek appear to be below those in other Cook Inlet
fisheries. For example , gross earnings for Upper Cook
Inlet set gill net permit holders averaged $9,672 per permit
in 1979, $10,541 in 1980, $14,640 in 1981, $20,969 in 1982,
and $16,283 in 1983 (Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
1984) .
In terms of relative contribution to Tyonek, Darbyshire
and Associates (1984a) estimated private sector income
including commercial fishing, village government, and
transfer payments to be the most important sources of income
(Table 4-21). The relationship between village government
and the real estate sector of the economy requires elabora-
tion. The Tyonek Management Corporation (TMC), a subsidiary
of NVT, manages royalties from a 1965 sale of oil and gas
drilling rights on the former Moquawkie Indian Reservation.
TMC invested money both locally and outside the community.
In 1983, rental properties in Tyonek generated $33,400, pri-
marily through houses leased to teachers (Darbyshire and
Associates 1984a). However, rental receipts from commercial
properties located primarily in Anchorage essentially sup-
ported NVT and its activities. Thus, 30 percent of the eco-
nomic base of the community was derived from TMC rent
receipts (Table 4-21) . Private industries (including com-
mercial fishing, construction and merchandise) accounted for
24 percent of the economic base and public sector funding
represented 46 percent of Tyonek's economic base. Although
the reliance on the public sector is substantial, especially
in terms of direct transfer payments, Tyonek's dependence on
state and federal programs is far less than most rural
Alaskan villages (Darbyshire and Associates 1984a).
4-74
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Table 4-21
TYONEK'S ECONOMIC BASE, 1983
Basic Industries Percent
Private Activities 24
TMC Rent Receipts 30
Kenai Borough School Funding 10
State and Federal Services Funding 9
State and Federal Transfer Payments _21
100
Source: Darbyshire and Associates (1984a)
4.7.2,3 Community Facilities and Services
Due in large part to oil and gas lease income in the
1960s, Tyonek has been able to continually develop and
upgrade community facilities and services to meet the needs
of the community. The oil and gas royalties supported
construction of new village housing in the mid-1960s and
contributed to construction of the school. Investment
income from the royalties has allowed continued infrastruc-
ture development to meet the changing needs of the com-
munity.
Housing needs are filled by approximately 60 prefabri-
cated homes that Tyonek built in 1965 and 27 houses that
were built in 1978-79 with funds from Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) and Cook Inlet Native Association (CINA)
(Darbyshire and , Associates 1981b). Public utilities
available to Tyonek residents include water (treated with
chlorine and flourine), telephone service, and electric ser-
vice. In the late 1960s, Tyonek sold an electric generating
unit to Chugach Electric Association in trade for an
electricity allotment. In 1982, Tyonek1s consumption was
4.7 million kilowatt-hours; by mid-1983, 11.9 million
kilowatt-hours remained in Tyonek1s allotment (Vecera 1985).
Chugach Electric Association officials estimated that, at
current rates of consumption, Tyonek would begin paying for
electricity by 1986.
Sewage disposal (using septic tanks and leach fields)
and solid waste disposal (at a landfill 6.4 km (4 mi) south
of Tyonek) needs are filled on an individual basis. The
E.L. "Bob" Bartlett School, constructed in 1967 by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs and NVT and added to in 1976 by
KPB, offers education for grades K-12. The school, which is
operated by KPB, includes a library, full kitchen, gym-
nasium, and multipurpose room, as well as classrooms and
offices .
4-75
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A local health clinic accommodates health care needs,
although residents commonly use hospitals in Anchorage for
all but minor health needs. The village clinic is operated
by a full-time CINA aide and a part-time CINA represen-
tative. In addition, personnel from the Public Health
Service and the Alaska Native Service visit Tyonek periodi-
cally to provide health care (Darbyshire and Associates
1981b) .
Other social services offered locally are administered
by the NVT and supported by funds from CINA as well as
various state and federal programs. These services include
counseling, drug and alcohol abuse programs, day care, adult
and child protection, and employment assistance (Darbyshire
and Associates 1981b). In addition, CINA funds are used to
support three local firemen. Public safety needs are
further filled by a village public safety officer and two
village security officers in Tyonek and a State Trooper in
Beluga (Darbyshire and Associates 1984b; Fall et al. 1984).
Additional community facilities include a guest
house/day care center, snack bar/recreation center, post
office, heavy equipment shop, and community center that
houses village offices (Darbyshire and Associates 1981b,
1984b). A new tribal center, funded by an HUD Community
Development Block Grant, is nearing completion. It includes
offices for the village government and various social ser-
vice programs as well as a large public hall that will be
used for village gatherings. Finally, other community ser-
vice needs are filled by the private sector, including the
village store and two Anchorage-based air taxi services that
provide numerous daily flights between Tyonek and Anchorage.
4.7.2.4 Local Government
t
The Tyonek village council, under the name Native
Village of Tyonek (NVT), is a federally chartered Indian
Reorganization Act (IRA) council that is recognized as the
local governing body for the village. The council has been
active in the development of the community and its facili-
ties for many years. Its responsibilities cover Tyonek1s
public affairs, public utilities, and management of village-
owned lands and buildings. The Kenai Peninsula Borough
administers the school and is responsible for operation of
the landfill, though this function has been subcontracted to
the village.
When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
passed in 1971, Tyonek chose to participate in the Act
rather than receive title to the former Moquawkie Indian
Reservation. In doing so, surface title to the 10,893 ha
(26,917 ac) reservation was transferred to Tyonek Native
Corporation (TNC), a profit village corporation created by
ANCSA, as part of its 46,621 ha (115,200 ac) entitlement.
The subsurface estate of these lands was conveyed to Cook
4-76
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Inlet Region, Incorporated (CIRI), one of 13 regional Native
corporations created by ANCSA. Although the Native Village
of Tyonek can retain ownership of up to 518 ha (1,280 ac)
for municipal expansion (under Section 14(c)(3) of ANCSA),
these lands have yet to be conveyed (McCord 1985). Thus,
NVT lost control over both surface and subsurface uses on
the former reservation lands to TNC and CIRI through ANCSA.
Because both TNC and CIRI are motivated in part by profits
from their land and investments, there are occasional
conflicts of interest between these profit corporations and
the people of Tyonek (Braund and Behnke 1980).
The State of Alaska and KPB are also major land owners
in the area. Although the State does not take an active
role in Tyonek's local government, state land policies
nonetheless affect the nature and extent of development and
land use near Tyonek (for example, through issuance of coal
leases). Similarly, KPB' controls surface uses in the
Congahbuna and Viapan Lake areas. Both of these locations
have been identified as possible settlement sites in the
Susitna Area Plan (Alaska Department of Natural Resources
1984). Both the State and KPB must be considered key poli-
tical players in the area.
4.7.2.5 Community Attitudes Toward the Diamond Chuitna
Coal Project
Previous research efforts have produced conflicting
reports on Tyonek residents' attitudes toward coal develop-
ment in their area. Whereas Darbyshire and Associates
(1981a) found that only 20 percent of Tyonek residents
opposed development of the Beluga coal fields, other studies
(Braund and Behnke 1980; Pacific Northwest Laboratory and
Battelle Human Affairs Research Center 1979? DOWL 1981)
indicated general disapproval for such development. As
reported by these studies, Tyonek residents' concerns cen-
tered around increased outside influence on the community,
disruption of their subsistence livelihood (through habitat
disruption, increased competition for wildlife, or potential
difficulty with access to hunting areas), and general
village disruption. Field interviews conducted in January
1985 suggest that many of these concerns still prevail in
Tyonek.
The January 1985 fieldwork conducted in Tyonek revealed
that local attitudes toward specific aspects of the Diamond
Chuitna project ranged from vehement opposition to enthu-
siastic support. Individuals strongly supportive of coal
development invariably cited the expected increases in local
employment opportunities as the major benefit to the com-
munity. Opposition to the project was based on the per-
ceived sociocultural impacts, changes in local resource use
patterns, and effects to the surrounding environment.
Specifically, these concerns included:
4-77
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0 Effects of pollutants (especially coal dust, aci-
dic runoff, and sewage) on fish, plants, and water
quality
a Changes in fish and wildlife availability due to:
fish and game habitat disruption
stream blockage
increased activity that could drive fish and
game away
overhunting by workers associated with the coal
mine
increasingly restrictive hunting regulations
should overhunting occur
disruption of moose migrations and traditional
hunting patterns
° Disruption of the local sportfish guiding business
due to increased competition for fish and reduced
wilderness qualities
° Erosion of Tanaina culture and the rural way of
life
0 Increased outside influence in the community that
could lead to:
loss of local control
increased traffic of drugs and alcohol into the
community
increased competition for fish and game from
non-locals
increased trespass onto Tyonek land
pressure for a road connection to Anchorage.
t
According to the interviews, the Tyonek residents who
had reservations about development of the coal fields due to
possible adverse social and environmental consequences
realized that such development presents them with a dilemma.
On one hand, they desire economic opportunities that will
generate local jobs; on the other hand, they perceive the
associated costs to their culture and lifestyle to be
substantial. one Tyonek resident commented. "The problem
is that everyone wants a job real bad, but I am kind of
scared of what it will do to life here."
Some villagers voiced a need for a viable economic
strategy, either based on continuation of subsistence ac-
tivities (a strategy that many view as incompatible with
coal development) or dominated by wage employment. These
people see coal development as inevitable and want assurance
that the transition into an economy dominated by coal mining
is conducted in a way that allows Tyonek to participate in
the development rather than be left behind and ignored. One
Tyonek resident commented, "Our life is going to be changed.
At least give us a chance to change with it."
4-78
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Villagers who were interviewed considered the Diamond
Chuitna Coal Project as one step in an on-going process of
development on the west side of Cook Inlet that may even-
tually result in a dilution of Tyonek's culture. One Tyonek
resident commented, "I'm most worried about the future and
the kids and what they can expect. Before long, there will
be 800 men in the Diamond camp and then Placer-Anvex (sic)
will come in. Pretty soon they will connect the road to
Anchorage and this will be another Kenai." Another villager
said, "The biggest fear is that we are going to be pushed
out of this area altogether. We will be pushed into the
Inlet and nobody will care."
Throughout the field interviews, parallels were fre-
quently drawn between Diamond Chuitna Coal Company's pro-
posal and the performance of the Kodiak Lumber Mill that
operated at North Foreland in the late 1970s. According to
the Tyonek interviews, agreements between KLM and Tyonek
regarding worker conduct, preferential local hiring, and a
no guns/no hunting policy were apparently violated, ignored,
and subverted. For example, villagers indicated the no
hunting policy worked until moose season opened? by 1979,
few villagers worked for KLM; Tyonek Creek was blocked with
sawdust and debris; the frequency of trespass increased; an
ancestral cemetery was disturbed; and cables and trash were
discarded on the beach and remain to this day. Tyonek resi-
dents use this recent experience as the standard for eval-
uating the merits of proposals to develop the coal deposits
and the performance of developers in the area.
In summary, despite the advantage of enhanced local
employment opportunities, many Tyonek res dents were skep-
tical about the Diamond Chuitna Coal Project and pessimistic
that any agreements will be carried out in good faith. This
skepticism is in part due to the performance of KLM, but is
compounded by perceptions that Tyonek is being excluded from
the planning process and is powerless to affect the outcome
of major land and resource use decisions for the area. One
resident said, "They have planned everything off of our
boundaries. It seems like they are going all around us
without working with us."
4.8 SUBSISTENCE
The harvest and use of subsistence resources are impor-
tant to Tyonek residents for three reasons. First, locally
available wild resources are less expensive than, and often
nutritionally superior, to store-bought goods. Second, sub-
sistence resources can be a supplement or partial replace-
ment for income derived from wage employment. As such, time
and money spent obtaining subsistence resources can be
adjusted depending on need, opportunities for wage
employment, and success of recent cash generating activities
such as commercial fishing. Finally, the harvest, use, and
4-79
-------
distribution of these resources is integrally tied to Tyonek
villagers' social and cultural value system (Pall et al.
1984). Therefore, subsistence resource harvests must be
viewed in light of food value, as a component of an overall
economic strategy, and as a central focus of the social and
cultural value system.
Figure 4-15 shows the overall resource use area for
Tyonek residents from 1978 to 1984 based on a study by the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) from 1980 to 1983
(Fall et al. 1984). Tyonek1s subsistence harvesters use a
1942.5 km^ (750 mi.2) area generally west and northwest of
the village and 217.2 km (135 mi) of coastline along the
western shore of Cook Inlet (Fall et al. 1984). Methods and
ease of access play a major role in determing Tyonek1 s use
areas. Dories are used to travel along the coast and into
the McArthur River flats. The road network, developed to
facilitate logging and oil and gas exploration, is heavily
used to access upland areas.
Although Tyonek residents harvest a wide variety of
subsistence resources, moose and salmon are the most impor-
tant in terms of nutritional contribution to their diet
(Fall et al. 1984). In 1983, of a mean subsistence harvest
of 359.6 Kg (964 Ib) per household, 71 percent of the edible
weight was salmon, primarily king salmon taken during a
May 15 to June 15 subsistence fishing season. Moose
comprise 21 percent of the 1983 edible harvest weight. The
remaining 8 percent of the harvest included a variety of
resources including other salmon species, porcupines
(Srethi zon dorsatum), berries, razor clams (Siligua sq.),
waterfowl (especially mallards [Anas platyrhynchos 3, pin-
tails [A . acuta ], and green-winged teal [ A._ crecca]) , smelt
(eulachon), rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, belukha whale, har-
bor seal, beaver, spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis), and
ptarmigan (Lagopus sp.). A variety of furbearers, including
red fox (Vulpes vulpes), weasel (Mustela sp.) and beaver are
trapped for furs, although trapping effort is currently
lower than historical levels due to low fur prices. In
addition, firewood, building timber, and coal were collected
by Tyonek villagers.
The area of most intensive marine resource harvest
includes marine and estuarine waters from the mouth of the
Chuitna River south to Granite Point. Village fish camps
and fishing sites used for both commercial and subsistence
salmon harvest are located along this stretch of beach.
Intensively used aquatic and terrestrial resource har-
vest areas include the floodplains of the McArthur, Middle,
and Chakachatna rivers; Nikolai Creek? and portions of
4-80
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«
<•—• >> : >£• \ " „ sfl^x. / *• ?x v«i*, •
,i; > \'tL'f*te .* • /-^r^X; ^N/ a-.C^°\ <
rf^^'- '-*t&^-"('i^V«»^Cf1^7iv^'V- '-fr.
; A^V/W>.il'i%^ny*^V^^V5<-t'S«f. f". xC* " '
, ^ ^ Jin^ -: \
NOTE: This map was co^lled during 1982 with
a sample of 39 Tyon*k households, and updated
in 1983-84, It represents areas u&td during
1978-1984. This «wp may be a partial repre-
sentation of use areas by the cownunity. Use
areas change through time and are not fixed
entities.
SOURCE: Fall, Foster, Stanek.
ADF4G, Division of Subsistence
Technical Report 4 105. Anchor-
age. Alaska, 1984.
SCALE
LEGEND COMPOSITE MAP OF ALL RESOURCE USE AREAS
10
COMPOSITE MAP OF ALL RESOURCE USE AREAS,
TYONEK, ALASKA, 1978-1984.
Diamond Chuitna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-15
4-81
-------
smaller creeks in the area such as Old Tyonek Creek, Tyonek
Creek, and Threemile Creek. These areas receive more inten-
sive use than surrounding habitat due to harvest efforts on
instream salmon stocks, freshwater fish, waterfowl, and
moose that winter in these river valleys.
Spring, early summer, and fall are generally the
busiest seasons for subsistence resource harves'ts. May and
June are dominated by the subsistence king salmon harvest
and preservation. This subsistence fishery was reopened in
1980 following a 16-year closure and originally consisted of
10 fishing periods (12 hours each) between May 23 and June
15 with a household harvest limit of 50 king salmon or a
total community harvest of 3,000 king salmon. Both the
season length and harvest limits for subsistence fishing in
Tyonek were relaxed in 1981 to allow three 16-hour openings
each week between May 25 and June 15 and 12-hour openings on
Saturdays from June 16 until October 15. Harvest limits
were raised to 70 king salmon and 25 salmon of other species
per permit holder or 4,200 kings for the community.
Subsistence king harvests have ranged from a low of 1,565 in
1982 to a high of 2,750 in 1983 (Fall et al. 1984; Stanek
and Foster 1980).
Other marine resources are also harvested in the early
summer including smelt, razor clams, and, occasionally,
marine mammals. As the season progresses, commercial salmon
fishing opens in late June and continues until the runs
diminish in August and September. Although these fish are
taken with commercial gear under commercial fishing regula-
tions, a proportion of the catch is usually removed and used
for subsistence purposes. As the salmon runs decline, har-
vest efforts are transferred to moose, waterfowl, and a
variety of other resources.
Moose hunting occurs during the general hunting
seasons. Until 1976, ADF&G regulations allowed moose
hunting during two seasons: August/September and November.
The November season was eliminated in 1976 due to excessive
hunting pressure. In 1983, moose populations had rebounded
and a special November season was opened. Currently, ADF&G
regulations allow openings for moose hunting in Game
Management Unit 16B by local residents only between November
1 and January 31. According to ADF&G personnel, the winter
moose season is opened when the snow is sufficiently deep to
force the moose into more accessible lowland areas (Foster
1984) . Tyonek residents stressed the importance of the
winter moose season. During this time of year, moose are
generally closer to the village, meat supplies from fall
hunts have diminished, and competition is reduced because
hunting is open only to area residents.
Figure 4-16 shows the area used for moose hunting be-
tween 1978 and 1984. Only portions of this area, however,
are used in a given hunting season. Yearly variation in
4-82
-------
NOTE: This map was compiled during 1982 with a
sample of 39 Tyonek households, and updated in
1983-84, It represents areas used during 1978-
84. This map nay be a partial representation of
use areas by the count unity. Use areas change
through time and are not fixed entites.
SOURCE: FALL *t *!. (11*4: FIGURE 41}
SCALE •—>-
. . ?
10
miles
Q
Ul
LU
RESOURCE
Small Game
Moose
Bear
Waterfowl
.SYKJBOL
USE AREAS FOR MOOSE, SMALL GAME, BEAR,
AND WATERFOWL, TYONEK, ALASKA
Diamond Chultna Environmental Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-16
4-83
-------
moose hunting areas is determined by snow conditions, moose
movements, and presence of other hunters in the area.
Fall moose hunting occurs primarily in the Mc&rthur
River Flats area and along the road network. Because dories
are used to access the McArthur River, this area is not used
during the winter. Winter harvest effort occurs primarily
between the village and the Chakachatna River (Fig. 4-14).
Trucks are used to travel throughout the road network;
roadless areas are accessed by foot, snowmachine, or
threewheeler. Although villagers indicated they once hunted
moose frequently north of the Chuitna River as far as the
Beluga River, this area is currently used less than pre-
viously due to increasing competition from permanent
non-Native residents, especially in Beluga. Instead, winter
hunting generally takes place to the southwest and northwest
of Tyonek as far as the Chakachatna River.
Hunting for other species, including porcupines,
grouse, and ptarmigan usually occurs incidentally while
moose hunting. These species are also sought during the
remainder of the year in combination with other subsistence
pursuits such as ice fishing, trapping, and firewood
cutting. Tyonek hunters indicated that the abundance of
small game, especially porcupines, spruce grouse, and fur-
bearers, decreased in the late 1970s and attributed this
decline to logging activities of KLM.
Areas used for trapping by Tyonek residents currently
include the Nikolai Creek drainage, areas along the road
between the town and Granite Point including Old Tyonek
Creek, and in the area north of the Chuitna River and east
of Lone Creek. In addition, a trapper who does not reside
in Tyonek traps throughout a broad area north of the Chuitna
River from the western boundary of the Diamond Chuitna lease
area, north to Beluga Lake and east to the Susitna River.
Eighty-two percent of the households in Tyonek har-
vested salmon in 1983 and 69 percent harvested or attempted
to harvest moose in 1983 (Fig. 4-17) (Fall et al. 1984).
Participation levels for other subsistence resources were
lower than for salmon or moose. Although not all households
in Tyonek participate in resource harvest activities, 90 to
95 percent of the households receive or exchange one or more
subsistence resources in a given year (Foster 1981; Fall et
al. 1984). Distribution of subsistence resources ensures
that the benefits of subsistence harvests are dispersed
throughout the community. Exchanges generally occur along
kinship lines and are influenced by available surpluses, the
number of dependents in a given household, and perceived
need.
Cooperative harvest, use, and distribution of sub-
sistence resources are important cohesive elements in Tyonek
culture (Fall et al. 1984). The opportunity to hunt and
4-84
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100
w
TJ
CD
w
D
O
X
c
0)
o
Q.
N-72
25-
Resource Categories
SOURCE: FALL, FOSTER, STANEK. ADF&G, DIVISION OF SUBSISTENCE TECHNICAL REPORT *105. ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, 1984.
PERCENTAGE OF TYONEK HOUSEHOLDS ATTEMPTING TO
HARVEST RESOURCES BY RESOURCE CATEGORY,
FEBRUARY 1983-JANUARY 1984
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 4-17
-------
fish is an affirmation of cultural values in an age when the
dominant social, economic, and political influences tend to
dilute the Tanaina culture. Continuation of traditional
harvest activities, then, provides the focus of Tyonek's
value system and kinship networks provide the social struc-
ture within which these traditional activities occur.
Tyonek villagers want to retain these elements of their
culture. It is for these reasons that Tyonek residents
desire some degree of autonomy and control over the factors
that influence the resources they rely on, their access to
the resources, and the socioeconomic conditions that affect
life in the village.
4.9 VISUAL RESOURCES
The project area is in the Coastal Trough physiographic
province (U.S. Department of the Interior 1978a), which
includes much of the land bordering Cook Inlet. This region
is characterized by flat to rolling terrain and sparse to
moderately dense vegetation. The project area is visually
representative of this physiographic province, with eleva-
tions ranging from sea level at the proposed alternative
port sites to about 275 m (900 feet) at the mine site and
415 m (1,360 feet) in the northwest portion of the Diamond
Alaska lease area. Vegetation is generally of moderate den-
sity, consisting primarily of open mixed woods of birch and
spruce in the uplands (9 to 12 m in height [30 to 40 feet]),
and muskeg in the depressions and lowlands. Above 153 m
(500 feet) in elevation are willow and alder shrub com-
munities which may reach 6m (20 ft) in height. Numerous
drainages and depressions exist on the site, which in com-
bination with vegetation provide good, but not complete
potential for screening of project facilities from view of
the occasional visitors to the area.
The mine site and other proposed facility areas are
rarely viewed due to their remoteness from inhabited areas
and the low use level of nearby land and water. Lands near
the proposed port sites can be viewed from nearby areas on
Cook Inlet where occasional commercial, subsistence, and
sport fishing occurs. Recreational use of the project area
is described in Section 4.10.
Visual quality of the project site area was assessed
using the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Visual Resource
Management (VRM) System (U.S. Department of the Interior
1978b). The terrain unit (viewshed) used for the analysis
consisted of a triangular area extending from Granite Point
to North Forelands to the mine area. Because of the visual
screening available from topography and vegetation, the
viewshed included lands about 2 miles on either side of the
proposed transportation corridor alternatives and 5 miles on
either side of Granite Point and North Forelands.
As shown on Table 4-22, the scenic quality rating
assigned to the area is 19 on a scale from 0 to 33. This
4-86
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rating is in Class A (of classes A, B, and C) , which in-
cludes ratings between 19 and 33. According to the BLM cri-
teria for categorization of an area as a potential area of
critical environmental concern regarding scenic values, the
scenic quality rating must be Class A and must have a scar-
city rating of 5 or 6. Therefore, the project area would
not qualify under these criteria. However, the Class A
rating implies that some special management attention to
maintaining the area's scenic quality may be merited.
Table 4-22
SCENIC QUALITY RATING FOR THE PROJECT AREA
Category
Landf orm
Vegetation
Water
Color
Influence
Scarci ty
Cultural Modification
Score
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
Total 19
Possible
Range
1-5 •
1-5
0-5
1-5
0-5
1-6
_4_2
0-33
The area's remoteness from large communities or activ-
ity centers tends to lower the level of concern for visual
intrusions. However, an important use of the area is for
wilderness expeditions such as fly-in fishing and sub-
sistence use, for which lack of man-made visual intrusions'
is an important attribute. Addition of this user attitude'
factor would tend to raise overall concern for visual
changes to the area. The net effect of low use level and
high user concern is assessed as neutral and the scenic
quality rating of 19 is considered representative of the
overall sensitivity of the project area to change.
It should be noted, however, that a common vantage
point is not from the ground, but from the air, since most
travellers who see the site area fly in. Thus, the viewshed
is actually larger if aerial vantage points are included.
If a larger area were considered to reflect aerial views,
the visual sensitivity of the area would be somewhat lowered
because "cultural modifications" such as logging roads, the
Beluga power station, and power lines are more visible from
the air. The presence of these man-made influences tends to
lower scenic quality ratings according to the VRM metho-
dology .
4-87
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4.10 RECREATION
The primary recreational uses of the site and its
environs are fly-in fishing expeditions, non-subsistence
moose hunting, and some hiking, camping, and picnicking by
Tyonek residents (see Section 4.8).
4.10.1 Sport Fishing
The project area, particularly the Chuitna River, pro-
vides excellent coho and king salmon fishing. The Chuitna
is open for coho salmon fishing in its entirety and, since
1983, has been open for king salmon from Cook Inlet to the
mouth of Lone Creek. These areas are accessible from Tyonek
and nearby airstrips via abandoned logging roads and are
fished during June-July for king salmon and July-August for
coho. While there is good potential for a rainbow trout
fishery on the upper Chuitna, lack of access probably limits
use of upstream areas. Howeve', good rainbow fishing is
available on the lower Chuitna arly in the season. Kings
and red salmon are also taken in this area.
At least two wilderness fishing operations regularly
use the permit area. Clients are picked up at the Tyonek or
Superior airstrip and driven to the Chuitna River or Lone
Creek, then picked up at day's end. One operator has devel-
oped a trail network along the river banks and has built a
lodge near the Chuitna River-Lone Creek confluence. Permit
area waters are seldom fished. Although good fishing is
available, fishing guides do not use either Nikolai or
Threemile Creek, which are fished primarily by local resi-
dents for kings and red salmon.
In 1983, between 4,000 and15,000 man-days of fishing
effort are estimated to have b'een spent in Western Cook
Inlet (including all streams north of the MacArthur system
and south of the Lewis River). Most of this effort was on
the Chuitna River. The king salmon fishery accounted for
approximately 2,000 man-days of this total (the 1984 king
salmon run attracted a similar level of use). The Chuitna
River king salmon fishery is excellent, with harvest rates
over 0.5 fish per man-day. The Chuitna River king salmon
population is presently underharvested (Hepler 1985). The
Chuitna River coho salmon fishery attracts somewhat lower
fishing effort, but probably still accounts for most of the
4,000 to 5,000 man-days spent in Western Cook Inlet not
represented by king salmon. No data are available on the
level of effort for rainbow trout (Delaney 1985).
4.10.2 Hunting
Sport hunting in the project area is largely restricted
to moose hunting. Waterfowl may be taken opportunistically
on lakes in the area, but most waterfowl hunting takes place
in the Trading Bay or Susitna Flats State Game Refuges.
4-88
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Brown bear are not harvested except occasionally in "defense
of life and property." In the vicinity of the Beluga River,
approximately twenty hunters per year hunt black bear.
There are no statistics available to indicate success.
Ptarmigan are also occasionally hunted in the area.
Moose hunters number about 150 per year. Hunters
usually arrive in Tyonek by air or boat and hunt from the
road system. Tyonek residents provide some support facili-
ties for hunters in their area. Hunts are held in the fall
and in the winter. In 1984, ADF&G issued 48 permits for the
winter moose hunt and in 1985, 67 permits were issued.
Statistics indicate there is an approximate hunter success
rate of 25 to 50 percent.
4.10.3 Other
'Other possible recreational uses of the project area
include recreational trapping and waterfowl hunting by
non-Natives and picnicking, camping, and sight-seeing by the
Tyonek villagers. Data on recreational trapping and water-
fowl hunting by either Natives or non-Natives is una-
vailable, but some occasional use may occur.
4.11 CULTURAL RESOURCES
The Diamond Chuitna project area lies within a region
of Alaska where relatively few archaeological sites have
been discovered and even fewer scientifically excavated.
Current understanding of the region's cultural history is
sketchy due to the lack of data. It appears as if the
earliest human use of the Cook Inlet area was sometime
between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago. The lowest level of the
Beluga Point site, on the north shore of Turnagain Arm, pro-
duced core and blade materials in an undated context? simi-
lar materials from sites elsewhere have been assigned to the
American Paleoarctic Tradition of about 10,000 years ago
(Reger 1977, 1981). The next known occupation of the
region, also represented at the Beluga Point site, is
characterized by material dating to about 3,000 years ago,
which apparently does not have obvious relationships to
cultural remains elsewhere in Alaska.
Two cultural manifestations at the Beluga Point site
date between 3,000 and 1,500 years ago. The earliest pro-
bably is related to the Norton culture and thus may be con-
nected with an intrusion of Eskimo peoples or cultural
traits into the area. Other sites from the same time period
and possessing similar collections of cultural material are
known from the general area, particularly to the north. The
later complex is not well represented but may be similar to
a cultural manifestation known from Bristol Bay and dating
to about 500 B.C. (Ross 1971).
4-89
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The late period of prehistory is represented by several
sites in the general project area, including Beluga Point
where the uppermost level dates to around 600 years ago.
Historic sites, occupied first by the Russians, later the
Americans and, throughout the period, by the Tanaina
Athapaskans (the Native people inhabiting the region at the
time of contact) are common in the region, though few have
been extensively excavated.
Only one archaeological site is known to be present in
the Diamond Chuitna project area (Gerlach and Lobdell 1983).
The site is located on the elevated bluff above Cook Inlet
in the Granite Point area within the confines of the coal
storage area proposed by Diamond Alaska at the port site.
Shallow depressions, probably representing salmon storage
pits, were reported at the site (TYQ-064). Further testing
might disclose evidence of habitation features or debris.
Archaeological survey did not disclose any other materials
attributable to past human use of the immediate project
area. The remains of historic cabins are located adjacent
to the Ladd port site (TYO-033). The cabins, which are
greatly deteriorated, are frame and log structures. No
archaeological investigations have been carried out in the
Northern transportation corridor. However, the nature of
the terrain and the extensive vegetative cover suggests the
possibility that other archaeological sites may exist.
4-90
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Chapter 5.0
Environmental Consequences
-------
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The scientific and analytical bases for the comparison
of alternatives summarized in Section 3.2.4 are presented in
this chapter.
The No Action alternative is discussed first. Since
for almost all disciplines, the impact of the No Action
Alternative would be the status quo, impacts of this
alternative are not discussed for each of the individual
disciplines. Rather, the No Action alternative is discussed
in a separate section (Section 5.2) which deals primarily
with the socioeconomic impacts of no project implemen-
tation .
Section 5.3 discusses the impacts of components common
to all action alternatives, i.e. impacts associated with the
mine, overburden stockpile location, and mine service area.
Impacts are considered for each discipline. Next, the
chapter deals with the applicant's Proposed Project, which
includes two port site/transportation corridor alternatives.
Finally, several additional alternatives are discussed,
including an eastern corridor/Ladd alternative and three
housing area configurations.
The environmental consequences described for the action
alternatives in this chapter assume that the level of
mitigation would be as proposed by the applicant (Chapter
2.0). One of the alternatives available to the permitting
agencies is to request additional mitigating measures as a
condition of their respective permits. Possible mitigation
measures beyond those proposed by the applicant and the
environmental consequences of their implementation are
discussed separately in Chapter 6.0.
Throughout the following impact discussion, various
references are made to "local" impacts and "regional"
impacts. For purposes of this EIS, "region" refers to the
Beluga Region or the area roughly outlined in Figure 4-1.
Local impacts refer to effects that occur at, or immediately
adjacent to, proposed project facilities. Therefore,
impacts that are "regionally significant" would normally be
noticeable or measurable when considered from a regional
perspective, "Locally significant" impacts would be notice-
able or measurable in the vicinity of the impact but would
not be noticeable on a regional basis. Regionally signifi-
cant impacts could have significance on a broader scale
(statewide or national) if the magnitude were large enough
or the resources particularly sensitive.
5-1
-------
5.2 THE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
The No Action alternative would result if at least one
of the permits necessary for project development were denied
or if the project sponsor cho^e not to undertake the pro-
ject. No Action would mean that none of the activities
described in Chapter 2.0 would occur. In addition, ongoing
exploration activities -. ould likely stop and Diamond Alaska
would probably be required to rehabilitate existing
disturbed areas. None of the impacts to the physical and
biological environment described in the remaining sections'
of this chapter would occur and the area would essentially
retain its relatively undeveloped character. Some develop-
ment scars from past exploration would remain in the coal
field vicinity for an indefinite time period, but they would
become less conspicuous with the passage of time.
Not developing the Diamond Chuitna Coal Project could
create a future need for coal mines at other locations. The
extent of this need would depend on local and worldwide con-
ditions of supply and demand. If substitute mines were
developed, environmental impacts of unknown, but possibly
significant, magnitude could occur at some other
location(s). Whether or not the impacts would be greater or
less than those that would occur at the Diamond Chuitna site
cannot be determined.
If it is assumed that the No Action alternative would
cause Diamond Alaska to cease exploration and predevelopment
activities, then the small number of jobs that are currently
supported by these activities would be lost and Diamond
Alaska would turn its energies elsewhere. Failure to
proceed with mine development would result in at least 848
permanent jobs not being realized over the 34-year life span
of the mine. The various positive and negative socioeco-
nomic i npacts to the village of Tyonek and Kenai Peninsula
communities described in subsequent sections of this chapter
would not occur.
From a regional standpoint, not developing the Diamond
Chuitna mine could significantly affect the course of future
development in the area." Development of the project and its
infrastructure would likely serve as a stimulus for develop-
ment of other coal fields as well as providing the economic
base for support industries (see Section 5.7). The No
Action alternative would prevent or delay industrial devel-
opment of the Beluga area and tend to maintain the present
character of the area.
5-2
-------
5.3 IMPACTS COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES -
MINE AND MINE FACILITIES
^•3.1 Impacts to Terrestrial Environment
5.3.1.1 Physiography and Geology
The major construction and operation impacts of the
proposed project on physiography, geology, and soils are
related to coal and gravel extraction and gravel placement
for facilities and for roadway and drainage structures.
Four sites (Fig. 2-16) have been selected as potential gra-
vel mining sites. These sites would provide a maximum of
4.3 million m^ (5.6 million yd-*) of material and riprap
which would be required for facilities foundations, roadway
and drainage embankments, drainage structure protection, and
reclamation. Extraction of coal, gravel, and rock would
deplete portions of valuable resources. The above figure
includes approximately 3060 m^ (4000 yd-*) riprap, 459,000 m-*
(600,000 yd-*) gravel or road surface material and 2.3
million m^ to 3.8 million m-* (3 to 5 million yd-*) unclassi-
fied fill. The impacts of specific components are discussed
in the following paragraphs.
Mining operations would deplete approximately 299
million Mt (330 million short tons) of coal. A 16.8 million
m^ (22 million yd-*) overburden stockpile would be created
from overburden and interburden from the initial box cut for
the mine. Approximately 81 ha (200 ac) would be covered by
the overburden stockpile. Consideration has been given to
the stability of the overburden stockpile slopes and future
slope failures .on the waste pile would not be anticipated
with the proposed configuration.
The earth-moving sequence proposed by Diamond Alaska
would replace materials in approximately the same order as
their removal. However, it is anticipated that significant
mixing of overburden and interburden would still occur
during their extraction and replacement in depleted portions
of the mine pit. Therefore, the postmining stratigraphic
sequence would be similar to, but not identical to,-the pre-
mining condition.
The surface excavation required to remove the coal
would substantially alter the topographic relief during mine
operation. As described in Section 2.3.2, the pit face
would be continually advancing as new overburden is removed.
The trailing edge of the pit would also advance as overbur-
den is dumped onto mined-out areas. In effect, a 182 ha
(450 ac) hole in the ground would move across the landscape
over a 30-year period. The reclaimed area behind the mine
pit would be regraded to its approximate premining topo-
graphy as the pit advances and, at completion of mining, the
whole area would be restored. Postmining topography would
be similar, but not identical, to the premining condition.
5-3
-------
5.3.1.2 Soils
Clearing and grubbing operations for the mine and mine
service facilities would directly disturb over the life of
the mine about 2,050 ha (5,066 ac) of mainly organic soils,
including 1,127 ha (2,785 ac) of Mut^ala-Chichantna, 548 ha
(1,354 ac) Mutnala, and 284 ha (7 I ac) Starichkof soil
types (see Tables 4-1 and 4-2 for characterizing features of
the affected soils)(Bechtel 1982).
The 10-year mine area consists of 1,436 ha (3,546 ac)
of which 1,047 ha (2,585 ac) or 73 percent consists of
Strandline soils that have a sandy loam texture (ERT 1984d).
Because of their mineral nature, these soils are valuable
for revegetation. Peaty Starichkof - Chichantna soils occur
on 366 ha (905 ac) of the 10-year mine area. The remaining
23 ha (56 ac) consists of Jacobsen sand and Killey - Moose
River silt loams.
Because of the long period required for soil formation,
soils in the Diamond Chuitna mine area are highly suscep-
tible to irreversible, disruptive impacts from surface
mining. A major long-term disturbance would result from the
removal of soils sd overburden to reach the coal seams.
The initial construction impact to soils would be even-
tually mitigated by implementation of the reclamation plan
and successful revegetation. The revegetation medium would
be provided by backfilled overburden with a minimum 6-inch
layer of redistributed topsoil. The development of a
favorable growth medium would be facilitated by addition of
fertilizer and control of accelerated erosion. Development
of a biologic (i.e., biologically mature) dynamic soil pro-
file from overburden equivalent to that which currently
exists would require a long time period (hundreds of years)
in this subarctic climate (Douglas and Tedrow 1959; Heilman
1966; Brady 1974). The addition of a topsoil layer con-
taining biologic components as currently planned would
greatly accelerate the process of soil evolution. Thus,
construction, operation, and reclamation impacts of the pro-
ject on existing soils would be a long-term, but partially
reversible commitment of the resource. It shouli be noted
that a successful revegetation program, including ttainment
of a diverse and productive community, is not cessarily
dependent upon the development of a mature soil p file.
5.3.1.3 Vegetation
Commun i ty Compos i t i on
During construction and operation, clearing for the
mine would directly disturb about 2,029 ha (5,014 ac) of
existing vegetation, including 1,356 ha (3,351 ac) of mixed
spruce-birch woodland, 364 ha (899 ac) of open low shrub
scrub/sweetgale-grass fen, and 182 ha (450 ac) of closed
5-4
-------
alder/tall shrub scrub (ERT 1985e). An additional 22 ha
(54 ac) of primarily mixed spruce-birch woodland vegetation
would be disturbed by construction of the mine service
facilities (Table 5-1).
Vegetation would also be disturbed by mining of gravel,
the extent of which would depend on the number of sites used
(Fig. 2-16). Site 5 would disturb about 106 ha (262 ac) of
mainly mixed spruce-birch woodland vegetation. Sites 8 and
7 would disturb 134 ha (331 ac) of mixed spruce-birch wood-
land and mesic graminoid herbaceous/blue joint herb vegeta-
tion and 119 ha (294 ac) of mainly mixed deciduous woodland
vegetation, respectively.
Damage to vegetation could also occur from fuel and
chemical spills. The degree of impact would depend on the
amount of the spill, the time of the year, type of com-
munity, and type of action required for the cleanup (Brown
and Berg 1980). Spills in communities with wet, organic
soils during the growing season are considered to be more
damaging than those occurring in mineral soils or those
occurring in winter. Spill contingency plans would help to
prevent or minimize damage.
Another possible indirect impact would be the increased
risk of spruce beetle infestation of native trees resulting
from the spread of beetles in piles or windrows of trees
created during clearing operations. Delayed burning of dead
trees would increase this risk.
As might be expected, the use of topsoil as a revegeta-
tion growth medium would facilitate the establishment of
vegetation and would reduce the time and effort required to
attain a self-sufficient plant community (McGinnies and
Nicholas 1980). Revegetation studies by Diamond Alaska on
test plots in the mine area have indicated that early suc-
cessional species (e.g., grasses) will readily grow on typi-
cal overburden materials even in the absence of topsoil.
Estimation of the time required to attain a plant community
with a similar structure and diversity to premining con-
ditions (or a successional stage leading to such) requires
extrapolation of data from similar areas and project devel-
opment circumstances. Because no data are directly trans-
ferable to the Diamond Chuitna Project, conservative
estimates of time required for soils and vegetation regen-
eration have been obtained by a review of literature docu-
menting natural and man-assisted succession.
The time period required for vegetation reestablishment
varies with ecosystem (climatic regime) and site conditions.
In the absence of reclamation, secondary succession to
attain premining vegetation biomass on overburden would
require an estimated 20 to 40 years. This estimate is based
on regeneration data, including studies on secondary succes-
sion and revegetation after complete soil disturbance.
5-5
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Table 5-1
AREA (ha Cacj) OF VEGETATION DISTURBED
BY VARIOUS MINE COMPONENTS
Project Component
T T
Vegetation
T
Total
Area (HaCac])
Mine and Mine
Faci1ities
Mine
Mine Service Area
Housing Facilities
and Airstrip
(Lone Creek)
TOTA_
20 1356
(49) (3351!
14
(35]
(62;
25
6 20 1395
;14.8) (49) (3447!
182 364 101
(450) (899) (250)
8 -
(20)
(4.9;
2
(2.5;
1
[2.5;
1
2029
(5014)
22
(54)
(72)
29
184 373 102 2080
(455) (922) (252) (5140)
^•Vegetation Units (ERT 1985e) are as follows:
1 - Closed broadleaf forest/paper birch
2 - Open broadleaf forest/balsam poplar
3 - Open mixed forest/spruce-birch
4 - Needleleaf woodland/black spruce
5 - Mixed woodland/spruce-birch
6 - Open tall shrub scrub/willow
7 - Closed tall shrub scrub/alder
8 - Open low shrub scrub/sweetgale-grass fen
9 - Mesic graminoid herbaceous/bluejoint herb
5-6
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Natural regeneration after logging to an early successional
Canada bluejoint grass community occurs relatively quickly
in the project area (ERT 1984g). However, vegetation regen-
eration on highly disturbed soil would be expected to
require a somewhat longer period. Natural vegetation,
including the establishment of willows and black cottonwood,
occurred within 25 years on newly exposed glacial till and a
nearly continuous cover of alder had established after 35-40
years in the moist environment of Glacier Bay (Crocker and
Major 1955). Younkin and Martens (1985) indicate reinvasion
of native species including trees and shrubs after four
years on fertilized mine overburden in a boreal forest eco-
system in Canada (61 degrees latitude). Unassisted revege-
tation (20 percent cover) was attained in the same time
frame in the Yukon Territory (64 degrees latitude) on pipe-
line overburden (Younkin and Martens 1985). Willow and
alder with an herbaceous understory have established within
20 years after fire in central Alaska (Lutz 1956). However,
the establishment of a. diverse, relatively mature community
from natural succession alone could take 50 to 100 years
(Howe and Scotter 1973,- Hettinger and Janz 1974).
Implementation of reclamation procedures as currently
planned would facilitate and accelerate the reestablishment
of self-perpetuating plant communities on disturbed sites
within the project area. Using results of previous work
(Younkin and Marten 1985; Crocker and Major 1955; Lutz 1956?
Vierick 1982) , it is postulated that well-developed stands
of herbaceous and shrub vegetation would be established 5 to
10 years after commencement of reclamation. Self-perpetuat-
ing vegetation with sufficient cover to prevent erosion
could probably be established within 10 to 20 years after
reclamation. The establishment of mature shrublands and
young forests would require an estimated 20 to 30 years.
Reestablishment of woody communities, species diversity, and
wildlife values similar to existing communities, however,
could require a longer period (20 to 40 years). The use of
topsoil as a revegetation growth medium would tend to short-
en the time needed to obtain a self-perpetuating plant com-
munity .
Long-term adverse impacts on vegetation would occur in
areas that are cleared and used continuously during mining.
Reclamation operations could not be implemented until the
mine service area and other mine facilities were dismantled.
Thus, reestablishment of vegetation would not occur until 10
to 15 years after project completion.
Threatened andEndangered Species
No threatened, endangered, or special status plant spe-
cies are known to occur within the mine area.
5-7
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5.3.1.4 Wetlands
Of the total area directly altered by clearing for and
construction of the mine and mine facilities, 443 ha (1094
ac) or 22 percent is classified as wetlands according to the
criteria presented in Section 4.3.2.3 (Table 5-2). In addi-
tion to direct adverse impacts, wetland structure and func-
tion would be altered adjacent to project facilities by
blockage of natural drainage patterns and disturbance of
wetland inhabitants.
Some wetland areas would probably become reestablished
in low areas following reclamation of the mine area.
However, because of unknowns regarding postreclamation soil
permeability and water tables as well as the long period of
evolution that is required to create natural peatlands with
their inherent water holding capacity, It is likely that the
extent of wetlands would be much smaller following reclama-
tion than prior to mining. Most wetlands within the
reclaimed mine area would lack the peat and organic material
which characterize the existing wetlands. Mineral soil
substrate with sparse sedges and grasses would initially
predominate in wet areas. In the very long term (hundreds
of years), organic matter would accumulate and some peat
growth would probably occur, bringing the area closer to its
initial condition. As a partial mitigation measure to off-
set this loss of peatlands, Diamond Alaska plans to include
establishment of 2 to 5 acre peat-filled depressions as part
of their reclamation plan. In addition, reclaimed sedimen-
tation basins would be selectively revegetated to accelerate
the buildup of organic components. These experimental
measures would alleviate wetland impacts to some extent but
would cover a small surface area compared to the area or
existing wetlands.
Wetland-related impacts to vegetation and wildlife for
each alternative are presented in subsequent sections. The
following paragraphs address wetland impacts in relation to
the special values presented in Section 4.3.3.
Most wetland-related plant and animal productivity
would be lost during operations, for a substantial period
thereafter, and possibly indefinitely depending on the
success of wetland reclamation. The acidic, muskeg-type
wetlands which are widely dispersed throughout the area are
not especially productive and the net primary productivity
of replacement communities would probably be as high or
higher than the communities which now exist. Therefore,
adverse impacts resulting from overall loss of primary pro-
ductivity would probably not be significant on a regional
scale. Food webs would be interrupted locally (in the imme-
diate vicinity of the disturbed wetland), but such interrup-
tion would probably not be significant on a regional basis
because of the isolated nature of most area wetlands and
the presence of similar wetlands outside the project area.
5-8
-------
Table S-2
WCIAHCS (ACRES) Of WEHANO IOSI AS A flESUi! »" MINE DEVllOPMtNl OY PKOJIXI COMPGNCN1
Ul
VO
Met land Type1
pro!
Ff»
rrm
PSSl
EMS pt
H5 COT 101*1.
Mine Components
30 year mine limit''- 2.4he(6ac)
Nine Service Area 0,4h«(lec)
I reimportation torridora
Southern Corridor haul
roa
-------
Wetland habitat available for wildlife use within the
disturbed areas would be reduced. For the most part, the
wetlands in the project area are not themselves high value
habitat, but the habitat diversity and forest edge asso-
ciated with the interspersed wetlands contributes signifi-
cantly to the overall moderate to high value of the area to
wildlife, especially moose and bears. Postreclamation habi-
tat value for moose and black bear could be . ass than pre-
mining (Section 5.3.1.5 and Appendix A.) part_y because of
loss of habitat diversity now contributed by wetlands.
Significant impacts to local hydrological regimes would
occur as a result of eliminating, reducing, and altering
etlands in the mine area (Section 5.3.2.1). Wetland areas
.ffect the hydrological characteristics of their watersheds
^n a variety of ways depending on wetland characteristics.
Wetlands in the mine area store large quantities of water
and play an important role in surface water - ground water
interactions (ERT 1984c). The baseline investigations indi-
cated that the deep organic layer underlying the muskeg
areas on the sides of the stream valleys forms a shallow
ground-water system that contributes the majority of base
flow to the streams in and adjacent to the mine area.
Removal of the vegetation and organic soils would destroy
this shallow system and potentially prevent restoration of
streams to premining conditions. Removal of wetlands would
probably also increase flood peaks in the Chuitna drainage
to some extent (Carter et al. 1978); however, saturated
peatlands tend to respond quickly to precipitation events
and the impact of removing the muskeg would probably not be
dramatic (Verry and Boelter 1978). Recharge rates within
the deeper ground-water systems could be increased after
mining because deep organic deposits can inhibit percola-
t'lon; evapotranspiration within wetland communities removes
Substantial water that would otherwise be available for
recharge (Carter et al. 1978). Lone Creek and stream 2003
could be affected (Section 5.3.2.1), resulting in lower
minimum flows and higher peak flows.
The removal of wetlands would cause long term altera-
tion in the quality of surface-water runoff from the mine
area. Wetlands tend to remove suspended sediment from
inflowing waters (Carter et al. 1978); therefore, post-
reclamation runoff would likely contain more sediment than
at present which could affect long-term stream water
quality. Peatlands also tend to lower the pH (increase the
acidity) of water flowing through them, consequently, post-
mining runoff would probably be less acid than at present
(Carter et al . 1978). Additionally, nutrients that are
available as a result of organic matter decay within wetland
areas would be reduced. However, it is unlikely that
altered nutrient flow would significantly affect ecosystem
functions within the region.
Wetland-related recreation activity within the project
area is minimal and no significant impact to recreation
5-10
-------
opportunity as a result of construction, operation, and
reclamation would be anticipated.
5.3.1.5 Wildlife
This section primarily addresses four adverse impacts
to major species or groups: 1) direct habitat loss, which is
the actual physical destruction of habitat; 2} indirect
habitat loss, which is the effective loss of habitat use
because of noise, human contact, or other disturbance
directly associated with project construction or operation;
3) effects on animal movements; and 4) construction impacts.
Impacts were viewed from regional and local standpoints.
Direct habitat loss from construction and operation of
the mine itself, the mine service area, overburden stock-
pile, and associated roads would be approximately 2,051 ha
(5,068 ac) during the 34-year life of the project. In the
long term, this loss would be largely mitigated or elimi-
nated for most species by reclamation of the entire area to
reestablish wildlife habitat at least as useful and produc-
tive as the premining environment. In the short term, i.e.,
up to 25 years, there would be adverse impacts.
Direct habitat loss as a result of construction and
operation would be significant for song bird, shorebird, and
small mammal species on a local basis only. Approximately
eight existing beaver colonies {Fig. 4-4} would be elimi-
nated during the life of the mine. This, and the adverse
impacts on other furbearers, would be significant on a local
basis only.
For bald eagles, the loss of salmon spawning habitat
with its associated eagle feeding activities, could be
significant on a local basis, but would not be significant
on a regional basis. Direct habitat loss for trumpeter
swans, sandhill cranes, and waterfowl would not be signifi-
cant .
Direct habitat loss would be significant on a local
basis, and possibly on a regional basis, for moose because
of elimination of approximately half of one rutting
concentration area within the northern portion of the
mining limit (Fig. 4-3). The factors that encourage
repeated use of a specific area for rutting are unknown.
Lone Ridge is an important rutting area on a regional basis.
Stress from disturbance or displacement could affect
breeding success or chronology and could result in reduced
natality* and survival. For brown and black bears, the
direct habitat loss would be of local significance due to
loss of terrestrial habitat and salmon spawning habitat
associated with bear feeding activities.
Indirect habitat loss for song bird, shorebird, small
mammal, and most smaller furbearer populations, including
5-11
-------
Beaver, could be significant on a local basis. These spe-
cies, however, would likely adapt (to varying degrees) to
the presence of the facilities and associated activities
(Univ. Maine 1983). Indirect habitat loss would be insigni-
ficant for waterfowl, shorebirds, swans, and cranes since
appropriate habitat is lacking. For bald eagles, indirect
habitat loss could be significant on a local basis, unless
they adapt to mining activities over time.
For moose and black bears, indirect habitat loss ini-
tially could be locally significant, but these species would
likely adapt to some extent with time to the presence of
noise and activities, and the degree of initial disturbance
would probably decrease. Brown bears and marten, however,
would likely experience significant local indirect habitat
loss because of their generally strong aversion to human
activity. This loss would not be significant on a regional
basis.
Movements of birds and most mammal species with small
home ranges adjacent to the mine area would be largely unaf-
fected in a direct way by project activities in the mine
area. However, seasonal movements of moose, bears, and some
larger furbearers could be delayed or prolonged as animals
seek new routes around the mine pit and other facilities.
Individuals may eventually find alternate routes, although
populations of moose, especially, tend to continue to use
historical movement routes despite man-made obstacles such
as the Trans-Alaska pipeline system.
Brown bear movements in particular could be affected
because of this species' aversion to human activity. While
brown bears are most numerous at higher altitudes in the
more open habitats west of the mine area, smaller numbers do
• "ihabit the lower forested areas to the south and east. If
normal movements through the mine area were to be hindered
by behavioral or physical barriers, brown bear numbers might
be substantially reduced in the areas south and east of the
mine area. This would be a significant adverse local impact
and might be regionally significant if regional movements
were affected.
Since the mine area would not be fenced, some animals,
e.g., moose or bears, would occasionally wander into the
area. These animals would usually not be harmed, but would
probably need to be herded out by project personnel. In
unusual cases, they may be killed (Section 6.3.1.3).
Construction activities within the mine area would
likely have smaller adverse impacts upon all species than
would actual mine operations because of the significantly
greater noise and activity levels associated with mining
operations.
5-12
-------
Habitat Evaluation
The results of the terrestrial habitat evaluation study
performed for this EIS are summarized in Table 5-3 for the
mine and mine service area and presented in detail in
Appendix A. Mining activities would disturb significant
areas of high quality black bear and brown bear habitat as
well as high and medium quality moose spring/summer/fall
habitat. No trumpeter swan habitat or suitable sandhill
crane habitat would be directly impacted by the mine or mine
service area.
The habitat evaluation study also compared the pre-
mining and postreclamation habitat values within the 10-year
mine permit area based on the detailed revegetation plan
presented in the Surface Mine Permit Application. As indi-
cated in Table 5-4, the postreclamation habitat value would
be significantly less for black bear and moose (summer/fall/
spring). The reduced value to black bear would be primarily
due to lack of berry-producing shrubs (such as elderberry,
high bush cranberry, and blueberry) and succulent herbs
(such as fireweed and vetch) as compared to the existing
plant communities. Postreclamation summer/fall/spring habi-
tat value for moose would be lower than existing value
because some kinds of selected edible broadleafed herbaceous
plants (such as aquatic emergent species) would be absent.
In addition, the overall diversity would be somewhat lower,
edge habitat (where wooded and open habitats meet) would be
decreased, and most of the existing ponded areas would be
absent.
It should, however, be emphasized that plant com-
munities are dynamic, especially on reclaimed lands, and the
communities established during reclamation would undergo a
long-term succession as natural plants invade the restored
communities. Eventually a more or less stable equilibrium
would probably be reached. The exact nature of the post-
mining plant community and its wildlife habitat value
several hundred years after restoration cannot be predicted
with accuracy, but it is likely that it would approach the
premining condition.
5.3.2 Impactsto Freshwater Environments
5.3.2.1 Ground-water Hydrology and Water Quality
Impacts to the ground-water regime as a result of
mining operations would be substantial and would affect
recharge and discharge relationships; quantity, quality, and
direction of ground-water flows; and quantity and quality of
surface water. These impacts are unavoidable; however, with
proper planning, the impacts can be minimized.
The overburden materials and coal units that would be
removed during mining operations contain large volumes of
5-13
-------
Table 5-3
DIRECT LOSS OF WILDLIFE HABIIAT AND SUITABILIIY OF HABITAIS IN HECTARES (ACRES)
FROM HItC DEVELOPMENT BY PROJECT COHPONENT
01
I
10 Year
- , Mine Limit
Spec lea
Suitable
Sandhill
Crane
X
X
Mine Service
Area
0
— .*
Unaultable 2Z(:»5)
Irun pater
Swan
Black Bear
Browi Bear
Maoaa
Spring/ Summer/
Fall
Mooaa
Winter
High
ted
LOM
NU2
High
ted
LON
NU
High
Mad
LOM
NU
High
ted
LOM
NU
High
Had
Low
NU
0
0
0
22(55)
22(55)
0
0
0
22(55)
0
0
0
14(35)
8(20)
0
0
0
0
0
22(55)
Pit
Area
0
0
0
564(1411)
0
0
0
575(1438)
564(1411)
0
0
11(27)
564(1411)
0
0
11(27)
380(950)
85(212)
160(449)
0
0
0
0
575(1438)
Stockpile Roada and
Areas Settling Panda
0
0
0
80(200)
»««.
.._
.»,.
80(200)
80(200)
0
0
0
79(198)
0
0
1(2«)
47(117)
33(83)
0
0
0
0
0
80(200)
0
___
~_«
68(169)
— ...
.„
68(169)
64(158)
0
0
4(10)
64(158)
___
_._
4(10)
47(117)
21(52)
0
0
0
0
0
68(169)
30 Year
Mine Limit
Pit
Area
0
0
0
2029(5012)
0
0
0
2029(5012)
1982(4955)
0
0
23(57)
1982(4955)
0
0
23(57)
1356(3349)
653(1612)
20(49)
0
0
0
0
2029(5012)
Total
22(55)
575(1438)
80(200)
68(169)
2029(5012)
1 Exact sighting not finalized.
2 Nat utilized.
-------
Table 5-4
COMPARISON OF PREMINING AND POSTMINING HABITAT VALUES FOR
EVALUATION SPECIES (10 YR MINING AREA ONLY)
Eva! uation
Species
Black Bear
Srown Bear
Moose
Summer/Fall
Habitat
Value
High
Medium
Low
High
Medi um
Low
High
Medi um
Low
Premining
Habitat
(Hectares [acres])
660 (1639)
0
0
660 (1639)
0
0
398 (984)
257 (637)
0
Postmining*
Habitat
(Hectares [acres])
0
660 (1639)
0
660 (1639)
0
0
71 (178)
485 (1202)
104 (259)
*Postmining refers to the period after revegetation has been completed and
allowed to stabilize but before reinvasion of native species has reached an
equilibrium - estimated as 10-100 years after pit closure.
5-15
-------
ground water and can be considered important aquifers in the
local hydrological regime (Figure 5-1). The mining opera-
tions would disrupt the natural ground-water flow regime
within each of the units as they are mined. The intercepted
ground-water flow would become inflow to the mine pit area
where it would be collected in sumps, pumped to down-
gradient offsite sediment treatment ponds, and discharged to
streams.
The predicted quantities of ground-water inflow to the
pits as mining progresses are summarized on Table 5-5. The
intercepted inflow to the pits would, in time, dewater each
of the intercepted aquifers. The predicted drawdown values
in the active pit after 10 years of operation are 13.7 m (45
ft) and 24.4 m (80 ft) for the overburden and coal zone,
respectively. The cone of depression for the overburden
aquifer is predicted to extend some 732 m (800 yd) to the
northwest beyond the mine permit area, while the coal zone
cone of depression is expected to extend to the mine permit
boundary (Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985).
Predicted impacts to the mine permit area as a result
of the mining operations include:
° A reduction of flow in springs and streams: With
time and continued mining, this impact would
increase in magnitude. Impacts of interrupted
base flow (ground-water input) to surface draina-
ges would be complex. These significant impacts
are discussed for each affected stream in Section
5.3.2.2.
It is anticipated that mining operations
(dewatering and lowering of the water table) would
affect the ground-water regime throughout the mine
permit area. However, these impacts would pro-
bably be limited to that area due to the struc-
tural faulting which borders the northwest and
south sides of the permit area and due to the pre-
sence of Lone Creek to the northeast and east.
Lone Creek would provide a constant source of
recharge and, thus, would minimize the impact of
mine dewatering to the east of Lone Creek.
° Disruption of the natural recharge due to mining
operations: Natural recharge to the aquifers is
predominantly the result of surface-water
infiltration from both incident precipitation . d
snowmelt. Surface disturbance during mining a,id
construction of support facilities and access
roads would affect the potential for natural
recharge. Surface-water diversions which channel
flow to nearby streams would limit the opportunity
for, and quantity of, water available for recharge
in the mine area.
5-16
-------
NORTH
A 1501.2
14D1.2
23B1,2
STREAM 2003
25G
STREAM 200304
25H1 25E
SOUTH
A'
CO
2
ui
UJ
LL
UJ
-J
Ul
- SOURCE: DIAMOND ALASKA COAL COMPANY. 1985
OVERBURDEN TO COAL
AQUIFER RECHARGE AREA
SURFACE WATER/PRECIPITATION RECHARGE
OVERBURDEN TO COAL AQUIFER
RECHARGE AREA
SURFACE WATER/
PRECIPITATION RECHARGE
OVERBURDEN AND COAL
AQUIFERS DISCHARGE AREA
COAL AQUIFER
RECHARGE AREAS
RECENT ALLUVIAL AQUIFER
QUATERNARTY OVERBURDEN AQUIFER
UNCONFORMITY
TERTIARY OVERBURDEN AQUIFER
TERTIARY INTERBURDEN (AQUITARDS)
BLUE COAL AQUIFER
RED 3 COAL AQUIFER
RED 2 COAL AQUIFER
RED 1 COAL AQUIFER
TOP OF SUB Rl SAND AQUIFER
PREDOMINANT GROUND WATER
FLOW DIRECTIONS
LOCATION MAP
SOUTH PIT FAULT
GROUND-WATER
FLOW BOUNDARY
1200
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
Limit of subsurface data
HYDROLOGIC CROSS SECTION A-A'
Diamond Chuitna Environmental
Impact Statement
FIGURE 5-1
-------
Table 5-5
ESI1MAIEO PIT INFLOW RAILS1
Vear of
Operation 3
Inflow to Pits from
Overburden Aquifer
d/mintgpm]) 484(128)
Inflow to Pits from
Coal Aquifer and Sub
Red 1 Sand
(l/inin[gpm])
Total Inflow
(l/n>in[gpm]) 484(128)
Total Inflow
(1/dayCgpdJ) 698,851
(184,637)
U1
,L Vear of
00 Operation 3
Inflow to Pits from
Overburden Aquifer
(l/min[gpni]) 484(128)
Inflow to Pits from
Coal Aquifer and Sub
Red 1 Sand
(l/rain[gpsi])
Total Inflow
(l/mln{gpm)) 484(128)
Total Inflow
(l/day[gpd]) 698,851
(184,637)
No Pit Backfill
45 6789
1,67X442) 1,926(509) 3,511(935) 3,852(1,018) 4,203(1,110) 4,508(1,190)
195(51) 310(82) 424(112) 516(136) 589(156)
1,673(442) 2,123(561) 3,841(1,015) 4,276(1,150) 4,719(1,247) 5,097(1,346)
2,410,602 3,052,819 5,523,325 6, 149,610 6,785,712 7,329,594
(636,883) (807,624) (1,451,197) (1,626,883) (1,795,162) (1,939,046)
With Pit Backfill
45 6789
1,673(442) 1,926(509) 3,198(845) 2,017(553) 2,540(671) 2,725(720)
195(51) 155(41) 159(42) 151(40) 140(37)
1,673(442) 2,123(561) 3,354(886) 2,176(575) 2,691(711) 2,865(757)
2,410,602 3,052,819 4,828,835 3,130,437 3,870,225 4,120,393
(636,885) (807,624) (1,275,782) (828,158) (1,023,869) (1,090,051)
10
4,948(1,307)
661(175)
5,609(1,484)
8,066,351
(2,133,950)
10
1,9U7(5U5)
136(36)
2,120(560)
3,050,150
(806,918)
ERT 19855
-------
« Diversion of pit inflow and surface water in the
mine area to nearby sediment treatment ponds:
Since the treatment ponds are constructed on gla-
cial deposits, some water would infiltrate, but
most would be released as surface flow downstream
of the mine area. Increased surface flows, with
increased bank storage, could result in increased
erosion and channelization; however, the storage
capacity of treatment ponds would tend to counter-
act this effect by moderating extreme flows.
° High risk of ground-water degradation from fuel or
chemical spills within the mine areas: Proper
spill control and prevention plans, and immediate
response to spills would limit the magnitude of
the impact.
° Degradation of ground-water quality from leakage
emanating from sewer lines and sewage treatment
areas: These impacts would be insignificant in
the overall context of the mining operation.
Reclamation of the mine area would at least partly
reverse the ground-water impacts from mining. After removal
of the surface-water diversion systems, surface water
together with incident precipitation would recharge the
underlying spoil materials and with time result in the
reestablishment of a ground-water regime similar but not
identical to the premining condition. It is anticipated
that the water quality might be somewhat poorer than the
premining quality due to the nature of the spoil material,
i.e., intermixed clay, sand, and gravel. Postmining aquifer
properties would also vary from premining conditions; how-
ever, this impact would not be expected to adversely affect
the regeneration of the postmining hydrogeologic regime
since the subsurface materials would probably be permeable
and have some capacity for storage and transmission of
ground water. The reestablishment of the ground-water
regime and, in turn, reestablishment of the surface streams
would likely require decades. This is governed by the
necessary condition of establishing a quasi-equilibrium be-
tween the ground-water and surface-water regimes. If an
equilibrium condition similar to the existing condition can-
not be established, then maintenance of the baseflow contri-
bution to streams during low flow periods might not be
achievable. The- elevation of the shallow aquifer water
table relative to postreclamation ground surface elevations
cannot be predicted with sufficient accuracy to assure base
flow contribution to restored stream channels.
5.3.2.2 Surface Water Hydrology
The mine and mine facilities would occupy an area of
approximately 2,051 ha (5,068 ac) including the mine pit,
drainage and sediment control structures, structures for
5-19
-------
coal transportation and handling, buildings, and access
roads. This area is comprised of portions of the watersheds
of Lone Creek and unnamed tributaries of the Chuitna River
(streams 2003 and 2004). The areal extents of the
watersheds of these streams and the portions occupied by the
mine and mine facilities are shown in Table 5-6.
During mine development, no surface runoff from the
disturbed areas would enter any stream without passing
through a sediment control structure. The stream course of
Lone Creek is outside the mine limit and would not be
disturbed. Surface runoff from disturbed areas along the
western edge of the mine limit would be routed through sedi-
ment ponds, treated if necessary, and discharged to stream
2004. Surface runoff from the areas east of the mine pit
would be routed through a system of ditches and sediment
ponds and discharged to Stream 2003 and Lone Creek. The
overall impacts on the downstream hydrology of these streams
include moderation of flood peaks and reduction in the
annual runoff contributed by the disturbed areas due to
storage and evaporation in the sediment ponds.
Surface runoff from compacted gravel areas such as
roads and staging areas within the mine limit would be
increased to 3 or 4 times the premining conditions during
the operation phase. However, these areas would be very
small compared to the watersheds of the streams listed in
Table 5-6. Water recovered by pit dewatering and surface
runoff from the remaining areas within the mine limit would
be passed through a system of sediment ponds and ditches
before being discharged into streams 2003, 2004, or Lone
Creek. Since precipitation (122 cm [48 in]) greatly exceeds
evapotranspiration (23 cm [9 in]) in the project area,
nearly all surface runoff held in the sediment ponds would
eventually be discharged into the streams. Therefore, the
net impact to the combined annual runoff of these streams
from increased evaporation would be insignificant. The
runoff peaks at the downstream boundary of the mine area
would be somewhat moderated by the increased pond storage.
This beneficial impact would, however, diminish as the mouth
of the stream is approached and would eventually become
insignificant. Impact on the Chuitna River from the above
effects would not be significant.
One of the most significant physical impacts that would
result from development of the Diamond Chuitna project would
be alteration of the hydrology of the Chuitna River tribu-
taries in the immediate mine vicinity (s'-'-eams 2003, 2004,
and Lone Creek). In general, the proposec .nining plan calls
for mining to progress from the northeastern corner of the
property in the area of Lone Creek to the south and south-
west. The mining will with time progress through a substan-
tial portion of Stream 2003 and into several minor left bank
tributaries to Stream 2004.
5-20
-------
Table 5-6
WATERSHEDS OCCUPIED BY THE MINE AND MINE FACILITIES
Stream
1. Unnamed tributary
of Chuitna River
Stream 2003
Unnamed tributary
of Chuitna River
Stream 2004
3. Lone Creek
(Stream 2002)
Drainage Area
At Downstream
Boundary of
Mine Area
16.86 km2
(6.51 mi2)
(Station
C140)
24,39 km2
(9.42 mi2)
(Station
C080)
18.52 km2
(7.15 mi2)
(Station
C200)
AtMouth
39.80 km2
(15.37 mi2)
(Station
C180)
46.98 km2
(17.79 mi2)
(Station
C110)
49.78 km2
(19.22 mi2)
(Station
C220)
Drainage
Area within
Mine Limit
14.89 km2
(5.75 mi2)
5.18 kn/
(2.0 mi2)
2.59 km2
(1.0 mi2)
Drainage Area within Mine
Limit as a Percent oF
Watershed at
Boundary of
Mine Area
88.
Watershed
at Mouth
37.455
21.25
11.25!
14. OS
5.2S
5-21
-------
Because of important implications to fish resources,
the chronology of changes that would occur within each of
these streams is described in the following paragraphs.
Emphasis is on potential alteration of minimum flows because
such flows are most often limiting to fish. Aspects of
ground-water and surface-water hydrology are integrated to
provide an overall view of impacts. In the absence of
detailed information regarding the progression of the mine
pit and pit backfilling, schedule of transferring treated
pit water to the adjacent streams, and hydrologic charac-
teristics of the backfill material, it is not possible to
accurately estimate the net reductions in the flows of
affected streams. Assuming the watershed areas intercepted
by mine related activities after 30 years of mining to be
those shown in Taole 5-6, rough estimates of the reduced
streamflows after 10 years and 30 years of mining have been
made (Table 5-7). These estimates assume that there will be
no transfer of treated pit water back into the streams and,
consequently, represent a worst case situation. Minimum
flows reflect primarily base flow contributions.
The methodology used to generate the figures in Table
5-7 is described below. The preminirg estimated monthly
minimum streamflows shown in Table 5-7 are taken from ERT
(1984e). The percentage reductions used to estimate minimum
monthly flows after 10 years of mining are the same as those
estimated by ERT for monthly average flows of streams at
selected stations (Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985).
Generally, the reductions in monthly streamflows after 10
years have been evaluated by a nearly uniform distribution
of the total estimated annual reduction in 12 monthly incre-
ments with minor adjustments made by judgment. The same
heuristic* methodology has been used to estimate the reduced
stream ;lows after 30 years of mining. The ratio of the
reduct.on in annual streamflows to the total flows is
assumed to be the same as the ratio of the drainage area
occupied by mine-related facilities to the total drainage
area of the stream at a particular station. The resulting
annual reduction is divided nearly equally in 12 monthly
increments.
Since the measured monthly minimum streamflows shown in
Table 5-7 are not based on any mathematical ratio, the
measured streamflow per square mile of drainage area for
each stream is different. Therefore, the above method
resulted in some anomaly .in that the sum of the estimated
reductions in streamflows for the tributaries of the Chuitna
River are less than the estimated reduction in the
streamflows of the Chuitna River itself. To avoid the
unrealistic situation of 0 winter flow, it was assumed in
the case of Stream 2004 that the reductions in the monthly
flows, rather than the annual flows, are in the ratios of
the drainage areas occupied by the mine to the total
drainage areas of the streams. In view of the assumptions
stated previously, the values given in Table 5-7 should be
5-22
-------
Table 5-7
U1
tSIIHAICO MONTHLY HINIMUH
2)
4)
Drainage Area
Stream km2 (mi 2)
Station C2DO, Strenn 20U2 (7.15 ml 2)
(b) After 10 years of mining^
Lona Creek above confluence *Hh 49.78 ka2
Chuilna River, Station C220, (19.22 «i2)
Strew 2002
Strean 2003, jusl downstream of (6.51 ni2)
nine area, Station C140
(a) Presiding
(t>) After 10 years of mining
(c) After 30 years of mining
Unnamed tributary of Chuitna 39.81 k»2
Hi.er, Strem 2005 at mouth, (15.5? •12)
Station C180
(u) Premlnlny
(&) After 10 yeere of mining
(c) After 30 »e«r« of mining
AtltlltUt
U.I
(3.48)
0.09
(3.55)
0.06
(2.20)
I), if,
(9.17)
(9.05)
(B. 25)
0.05
(1.92)
0.05
(1.81)
0
(0)
0.15
(4.66)
0.12
(4.54)
0.05
(1.09)
'j«[ttt;mti(ir
U.M)
0.29
UO.iJ)
0.24
(9.36)
U.6K
(24,77)
(24.65)
<23.83)
0,22
0.21
(7.70)
0.12
(4. 27)
0.49
(17.50)
0.48
(17.27)
0.39
(15.95)
Cat in
ficlolier
D. IB
0.37
0.54
(12.15)
0.71
(25.47)
(25.32)
(24, 4J)
0.22
(7.82)
0.21
(7.61)
0.12
(4.17)
(1B.42)
0,51
(18.21)
0,42
(14.85)
atEd HintaUB
November
0.22
(7.85)
0.22
(7.75)
a.n
(6.57)
a.tt
(17.12)
(17.05)
(16. 2JJ
0.11
(J.8D)
0.10
(5.68)
0.004
(0.15)
0.28
(10.02)
0.27
(9.8?)
0.18
(6.45)
SfRtAMfiOHS
flew m5/»ec (cfs)
December
0.20
(7.51)
0.20
(7.09)
0.17
(4.05)
0.46
(16,57)
(15.0)
0.06
0.05
(2.02)
0
(B)
0.25
(8. 25)
0.22
(7.92)
0.15
(4.60)
Juituury
0.15
(5.18)
0.14
(4.94)
0.11
(5.90)
O.JU
(15.58)
(15.41)
(12.64)
o.aa
(2.72)
0.0?
0
(0)
0.17
(6.11)
0.16
(5.77)
0,07
(2.54)
f L-brusry
0.14
(5.14)
0.14
(4.92)
0.11
(5.88)
0,»2
(11.18)
(10.45)
0.06
(2.10)
0.05
(1,82)
0
(D)
0.14
(4.94)
• 0.15
(4.68)
0.04
(1-57)
Hitrcli
0.1)
(4.62)
0.12
(4.41)
0.09
(5.J4)
0.26
(9.19)
D.2J
(9.01)
0.23
(8.25)
0.05
(l.M)
0.05
(1.72)
0
(0)
0.15
(4.75)
0.12
(4.28)
0.03
(1.18)
April
0.11
(4.68)
0.13
(4,52)
0.09
(3.40)
U.27
(9.82)
0.21
0.25
(8.8B)
n.o?
(2.39)
0.06
0
(0)
0.14
(5.08)
0.14
(4.98)
0.04
(1.51)
Hay
U.BU
O1.60)
o.aa
(31.J6)
0.85
(M.J2)
1.60
(56.68)
1.60
(56.44)
1.58
(55.74)
B-34
(12.04)
0.35
(11.80)
0.24
(8.41)
0.66
(2J.4J)
0.65
(23.12)
0.56
(19.86)
.lllllU
(1.29
(10.4?)
a. 29
(10.50)
0,26
(9.19)
U.4U
(14.51)
0,39
(14.16)
O.J8
(15.57)
o.na
(J.02)
0.08
(2.80)
0
(D)
0.19
(6 .98)
0.19
(6.76)
0.10
(3.41)
July
11.16
(5.56)
0.15
(5.48)
0.12
(4.28)
0.22
(7.B4)
0.22
(7.75)
0.20
(6.90)
0.04
(1.55)
0.04
(1.44)
0
(0)
0.12
(4.13)
9.12
(4.21)
0.02
(0.76)
-------
Table 5-7
ui
NJ
CSIIMAICO MOHIHHf H1NIMHM
(cont'd)
Drainage Area
Strean Io2 (mi 2)
5) fJuiitna Hiver dotmatrean of 542.48 k»2
affected area, Station C2JO (1)2.2) «i2)
(•) Pretkining
(b) After 10 ycera of «ifiing
(c) After 50 years of mining
6) Unruoed tributary of Cnuitna 17.7V
River, Stream 2004, Station CUD,
at Mouth
(a) Pretaining
(b) After 10 years of mining
(c) After 50 years of Mining
7) Unnawtf tributary of OKI Una River, 9.42
Strea* 2004, Station 0)80, About
one mile upstrean of twuth
(B) Premiiung
(b) After 10 years of mining
(c) After }Q years of Mining
1.6D
(60. 17)
1.68
(59.97)
1.41
1.95
1.75
(61.1)
1.0J
(56.4)
0.81
5.98
(215.50)
(212,89)
5.74
(205.10)
4.89
(173,8)
(155.4)
2.5»
(91.5)
2.04
O2 ,08)
Cat imi
October
6.82
(245.72)
6.81
(24). 26)
6.61
(25J.52)
5.01
(m.o>
4.45
(157.2)
2.65
(93.64)
2.09
(75.65)
SIKAHTLUWS
lied Htniatd f Io» »*/aec it. fa)
November
(125.52)
J.S1
(125,28)
5.26
(115.)2)
5.18
(112.4)
•ICAN1 IWACt-
2.82
(99.6)
1.68
(59.56)
rlCAN! I«>ACI-
t.)2
(06.64)
}.oe
(110.14)
5,07
(109.56)
2.8)
(99.94)
1.22
(45.1)
1.08
O8.2)
0.65
(22.97)
0.51
(18.02)
2.80
(102.92)
2.86
(102.54)
2.62
(92.72)
0.74
(26.1)
0.66
(25.3)
0.59
(D.78)
0.51
(10.95)
2.22
(79.27)
2.21
(78.76)
1.95
(69.07)
0.61
(21.4)
0.44
(1».1)
0,12
(11. >1)
0.25
(8.1))
1.66
(59.56)
1.65
(58.96)
1.59
(49.16)
0.24
(8.5)
0.21
(7.4)
0.1J
(4.59)
0.10
(5.55)
April
1.88
(67. )0)
1.87
(66.87)
1.62
(57.10)
J.91
(1)8.2)
5.47
(12Z.6)
2,07
(75.14)
1.6)
(57.4D)
Hay
15.64
(558.61)
15.42
(557.88)
15,52
(54R.41)
8.55
(302.1)
7.59
(268.2)
4.5)
(160.07)
5.57
(126.15)
4.87
(114,04)
4.87
(175.85)
4.64
(165.84)
2.81
(99. J)
2.49
(as.o)
1.49
(52.65)
1.17
(41.54)
July
1.56
(55.76)
1.56
(55.60)
1.29
(45,56)
2.52
(82.0)
2,06
(72.8)
1.25
(4).46)
0.97
(54.28)
Source: 1. CRI 1984e, 1985c
2. Oavsa 4 Moore catculatlona
-------
treated as order-of-magnitude estimates to be used for
qualitative assessment of potential mine-related impacts
rather than quantitative indices based on measured or simu-
lated data.
Lone Creek
The initial box cut will approximately parallel Lone
Creek, but will not directly impact the stream course. Both
surface runoff and the base flow contribution from that por-
tion of the Lone Creek watershed within the affected mining
area, however, will be directly impacted. The impacts to
Lone Creek are expected to be greatest during low flow
periods, particularly during late summer and winter, when
the stream flov; is comprised entirely of base flow
(ground-water input). The resultant decrease in base flow
contribution is estimated on the basis of maximum drainage
area affected to be about 25 percent.
Another calculation method using a percent of the pre-
dicted pit inflow combined with a Glover depletion analysis
(Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985) estimated that base flow
in Lone Creek would be reduced by 8.5 percent after year 10
at a stream station immediately below the mining activity.
It is likely that actual maximum depletion would occur after
year 10 and would be in the range of 8.5 to 25 percent. The
maximum impact would be reached in the middle years of
mining and would continue over the mine life. Some alle-
viation of impact could occur late in the mine life if
ground-water recharge occurred in the backfill adjacent to
Lone Creek and reached sufficient elevation so that it could
begin to contribute again to base flow. However, the pit
bottom, being the lowest point, would still be the principal
point of collection for water within the mined out area and
base flow contribution to Lone Creek from the mine area
would not be fully restored until 5 to 10 years after back-
filling is completed and recharge has occurred.
As indicated in Table 5-7, minimum flows could be
reduced during low flow periods (late summer and late win-
ter) by up to 25 percent within the portion of Lone Creek
east of the mine. As flows increase downstream, impact
would be proportionally less. The above calculations of
flow reduction assume no transfer of pit drainage to Lone
Creek. During the first 10 years of mining, Diamond Alaska
plans to release much of its pit drainage into Lone Creek;
therefore, net flow could actually increase at least tem-
porarily. The up to 25 percent reduction would still occur
in the event of pump failure or in the event that pit water
freezes and cannot be pumped. Water allocation during later
years of mining has not been planned but it is reasonable to
assume that as the pit progesses westward, discharge from
dewatering would be more likely to be released in the Stream
2003 or 2004 watersheds than into Lone Creek.
5-25
-------
Stream 2003
Greatest impact would occur to Stream 2003 since a
substantial portion of the stream and its watershed would be
within the mine area. Mining would proceed in a south-
westerly direction starting at the extreme headwaters of
Stream 2003 and moving downstream. Thus, impact would be
cumulative over the 30-year mine life with maximum impact
occurring when the mine reached its maximum extent. At 30
years, about 14,200 m (46,570 ft) of stream channel would be
removed along with 14.9 km^ (5.75 mi^) of watershed area.
As mining progressed to the southwest, the impact on
Stream 2003 would continue to increase. The impact on base
flow contribution to 2003 would be most pronounced during
low flow periods (Table 5-7). The magnitude of the effect
of base flow contribution to the stream would depend on its
proximity to the active mining area. In this regard, the
pit bottom, being the lowest point would be the principal
point of collection for water within the mined-out areas.
It would also be the "low point" with respect to existing
terrain and, therefore, would induce drainage of surrounding
areas. Plans provide for the accumulated surface and ground
waters to be routed through a series of sedimentation/
treatment ponds prior to their discharge to existing
streams. In the worst case (e.g., during cold winter
weather), it is projected that during at least short periods
of time, there would be no direct discharge from the mine to
Stream 2003 downstream of the mining area. This implies,
therefore, the total streamflow in Stream 2003 may be lost
for at least some distance downstream of the mine limit.
The downstream point at which ground-water discharge or base
flow would be sufficient to sustain streamflow throughout
the year is not known, but believed to be in the range of
0.8 to 2.4 km (0.5 to 1.5 m) downstream from the 30-year
mine limit because of the confluence of tributaries 200303
and 200302, both of which would be relatively unaffected by
mining. Minimum flow at the mouth of Stream 2003 could be
reduced by as much as 80 percent during low flow period
(Ta le 5-7).
After cessation of mining, the backfilled and reclaimed
areas would begin to resaturate by infiltration and the
ground-water levels in the vicinity would tend to recover to
near premining conditions. Depending upon the hydraulic
conductivity and porosity of the backfill material, it may
take 5 to 10 years for the restoration of ground-water
levels to the preminin conditions. Therefore, the impacts
on streamflows shown i Table 5-7 would be expected to con-
tinue through this recovery period. As a consequence of pit
excavation and mine dewatering, existing bogs and wetlands
within the mine area would be eliminated. This would re^ t
in the loss of the shallow ground-water system within tae
organic layer that currently provides much of the input to
Stream 2003. Thus, even after reclamation, the postmining
5-26
-------
monthly minimum streamflows of the affected streams would be
expected to be somewhat lower than the premining values
shown in Table 5-7.
The present course of Stream 2003 and its tributaries
within the mine area would become extinct due to pit excava-
tion. It is the applicant's intent to restore permanent
stable channels along the approximate original cours'es of
these streams after reclamation using established engi-
neering techniques. However, the backfill material on which
the restoration channels would be formed cannot be compacted
to the same degree as the original bed material of these
streams and would be susceptible to some erosion and degra-
dation until geomorphologic equilibrium were attained.
Remedial stabilization measures would probably be required
during the early years of restoration. Furthermore, there
would be no guarantee that the post-reclamation water table
would coincide with the elevations of the recreated stream
channels. Therefore, while it would be possible to recon-
struct stream channels having physical characteristics simi-
lar to the existing stream channels, there is no way to
predict whether the new channels would have sufficient base
flow through the upper reaches to provide year-round flow
similar to that which now exists.
Stream 2004
Toward the end of the 30-year mine period, several
minor left bank tributaries of Stream 2004 would be mined
out. The impacts of mining through these tributaries would
be similar to those described for Lone Creek. These impacts
would include a reduction in both surface flow and the base
flow contribution to the stream. Based on drainage area
considerations and the topographic relief to west of the
stream course, the percentage reduction in flow is estimated
to be about 21 percent of the normal flow at the time of
maximum mine extent.
Possible alterations to minimum flows as a result of
mining are presented in Table 5-7. Impacts to Stream 2004
would be of shorter duration than for the other mine area
streams since the stream would not be affected until late in
the mine life. After backfilling and ground-water recharge,
base flows would be restored and long-term impact would
probably be insignificant.
Chuitna River
As indicated in Table 5-7, minimum flow in the Chuitna
River immediately below the mouth of Lone Creek could be
reduced by up to 17 percent during low flow periods in the
later years of mining. This reduction would represent an
extreme worst case situation and would be unlikely during
mining because of the addition of return water to the
Chuitna drainage from the various mine area drainage
5-27
-------
systems. If the mine dewatering system should fail during
low flow months (e.g., August, March) in the later years of
mining, then a temporary flow reduction in the 10 to 20 per-
cent range could occur. In the lower reaches of the Chuitna
River where flow is greater, the impact of such a flow
reduction would be proportionally reducad. Flow in the
Chuitna River would also be reduced during the period
following mine closure while ground-water recharge is
occurring in the backfilled area. Initial reduction after
mine closure could be in the 10 to 20 percent range and
would gradually decrease to near 0 over a period of up to 10
years until recharge is completed. Hydrological char-:c-
teristics of the Chuitna River after reclamation cind
recharge would not be significantly different from the
existing condition.
5.3.2.3 Surface Water Quality
General Criteria
Surface water quality would be controlled by both EPA
and state regulations. These regulations are based upon
protection of existing and potential beneficial uses of the
water as well as national water quality objectives. The
most stringent requirements would be applicable. Domestic
wastewater would, as a minimum, require s-:ondary treatment.
Most other water discharges from the project would be
treated in upgraded sediment pond treatmf c systems prior to
discharge. EPA criteria would require sediment pond
discharge to meet the following minimum requirements (EPA
1982) :
0 pH in the range of 6 to 9
0 During rainfall events (less than 10-year events
occuring in 24 hours) that result in an increase
in base streamflow or when snow or ice exist and
ambient air temperature is above freezing (thaw
conditions) settleable solids must be less than
0.5 ml/1
° During non-thaw or non-storm periods: 30-day
av rage of 35 mg/1 and 3.0 mg/1 suspended solids
ana total iron re >ectively; maximum day value of
70 mg/1 and 6 mg/i suspended solids and total iron
respectively
0 During 10-year, 2 -hour or greater storm events,
on^. / the pH level requirement of 6 to 9 is appli-
cable
In addition to the EPA pH, iron, and sediment stan-
dards, state standards would apply to protect the current
and possible beneficial uses of the water. Generally, the
ADEC receiving water standards would require (ADNR 1984):
5-28
-------
° Turbidity
5 NTU above natural background when
background is below 50 NTU
10% increase when background is above 50 NTU
25 NTU maximum increase
° TSS/Suspended solids
- No increase above background, can have a
mixing zone
« Metals and other parameters
Drinking water criteria or aquatic life stan-
dards if a specific hazard to aquatic life
has been identified,
The specific parameter limitations typically are modified to
reflect background levels if a receiving water has normally
elevated concentrations of specific parameters. The receiv-
ing water standards are based upon impacts to human and
aquatic life and are therefore being used as standards for
this impact analysis.
Mine and Mine Area Faci1ities
- Mine Site Runoff
Mine site runoff consists of surface water other than
pit drainage that flows from the project area into area
streams. During operation, the mining process would result
in progressive disturbance and reclamation of a fixed size
area. Before excavation begins in an area, surface drain-
ages would be rerouted. Areas that had been mined would be
reclaimed with interburden and overburden replaced in the
same relative positions and in the same relative topographic
configuration. Revegetation, routing drainage through
ditches, and erosion control measures would be undertaken
immediately upon redeposition of the material in the mined
area (ERT 1985c).
Erosion control measures would consist of permanently
developed site drainage courses, contour reclamation,
mulching, temporary drainage control, revegetation, and
construction of long-term sediment ponds. Eighteen sediment
pond systems are planned for the mine and mine area faci-
lity. Drainage slopes and most side slopes would generally
be limited to 5 percent to limit runoff velocities, although
some areas would have slopes up to 12 percent. On steep
slopes, alternative sediment control measures include filter
dams, sediment filter fabric installations, gravel pads,
chemical mulches, and matting as necessary (Diamond Alaska
Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI). Sediment ponds would be uti-
lized until well after the entire reclaimed drainage is sta-
5-29
-------
bilized and runoff naturally meets background quality (ERT
1985c) .
During sediment pond construction, temporary sediment
control measures would be employed to limit impacts to
streams. These measures could include filter fabric sedi-
ment fences, specific construction scheduling, immediate
matting and revegetation or other approved techniques.
The erosion precautions noted would be designed to
control major suspended solids discharges (ERT 1985c).
However, test data illustrates that without further treat-
ment, sediment discharges and corresponding turbidities
would exceed proposed standards under various conditions
(Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI). Without floc-
culation treatment in the sediment pond systems, effluent
turbidities could range from 30 to more than 14,000 MTU
during major flow events {lQ-year/24-hour). The high range
turbidity would be in excess of allowable discharge limita-
tions. Therefore, additional treatment using polymer floc-
culation to increase settling effectiveness is necessary to
provide compliance.
Recent laboratory bench scale and modeling tests h /e
indicated that with a polymer flocculation-sedimentat-on
system, effluent turbidities may be reduced to between 5 nd
37 NTU* during major flow (10-year/24-hour) events (Diar. nd
Alaska Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI). Based upon turbid;-y
and suspended solids correlations, Diamond and the st-te
have estimated turbidities in receiving waters at various
flood flows. Turbidity in receiving water is expected to
range from 1,500 and 2,000 NTU for a 10-year, 24-hour flood
event (Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI).
Therefore, all turbidity criteria would likely be met during
major storm events. Compliance is further projected for
2-year, 24-hour storm conditions.
During winter baseflow conditions, stream turbidities
are very low. Compliance of discharge at low baseflow con-
ditions is not directly projected by the recent studies and
modeling (Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI).
However, the conservative assumptions used, as well as limi-
tations on discharge rates, proposed double stage floccula-
tion for problem sediment pond systems, and possible use of
controll I discharge versus stream baseflow suggests that
there is nough flexibility built into the system such that
complianc can be achieved.
No specific testing has been conducted to determine
what potential pollutants may leach from disturbed overbur-
den material. However, laboratory leach tests on the coal
have not indicated significant amounts of metals, organics,
or other potential pollutants (Bookcliffs 1985). Table 5-8
combines information from available baseline measurements to
estimate water quality that could be expected from normal
5-30
-------
Table 5-8
ESTIMATED SEDMIENT POND EFFLUENT WATER QUALITY1 (AFTER SEDIMENTATION AND FLOCCULATION TREATMENT)
Parameter _^_
Alkalinity as CaCQ3
Aluminum, dissolved (mg/1)
Arsenic, dissolved (mg/1)
Bicarbonate as CaCOj (mg/1)
Boron, dissolved (mg/1)
Cadmium, dissolved (mg/1)
Calcium, dissolved (mg/1)
Carbonate as CaCOj (mg/1)
Chloride (mg/1)
Chromium, dissolved (mg/1)
Conductivity ( utnhos/cm 9 25DC)
Copper, dissolved (mg/1)
Fluoride (mg/1)
Hardness as CaCOj (rag/1)
Iron, dissolved (mg/1)
Lead, dissolved (mg/1)
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/1)
Manganese, dissolved (mg/1)
Mercury, dissolved (mg/1)
Molybdenum, dissolved (mg/1)
Nickel, dissolved (mg/1)
Nitrogen, ammonia (mg/1)
Nitrogen,- nitrate/nitrite (uig/1)
Organic carbon, dissolved (mg/1)
pH (units)
Potassium, dissolved (mg/1)
Selenium, dissolved (mg/1)
Sodium, dissolved (mg/1)
Solids, dissolved (mg/1)
Sulfate (mg/1)
Suspended Solids (mg/1)
Zinc, dissolved mg/1)
Projected Sediment
Pond Effluent
Water Quality
(Range)3
5,5
1.4
0.06
11
<0.02
0.01 -
0.2
<0.02
0.1
<0.02
<0.001 -
<0.02 -
<0.01
<0.05 -
5,9
0.25 -
nd
0.4
2
0.27 -
5
<0 . 02 -
43
0,4 (total)
<.Q05
<52
0,52
COOS
10
0
13
<.02
300
0.12 (total)
0.3
<45
3.4 (total)
0.03
4.4
0.2
0.001 (total)
<.02
0.05 (total)
1.5
1.5
<35
7.8
3
35
2QO
20
20*
.08
Anticipated
Receiving Water Receiving
Quality Water Quality
(Ranqe)2 Standard3
5.5
<0 . 1
nd
nd
nd
1.4
nd
0.06
nd
11
<0.02 -
0.01
nd
0.2
<0.02 -
0.1
<0.02
<0.001 -
nd
<0.02
<0.01
<0.05
nd
5.9
0.25 -
nd
0.4
2
0.27
<1
<0.02
43 20 or more
0.4 (total)
0.05
0.1 0.043*+
0.004
9.3
4.4 200
0.05
121
0.09 (total)
0.09
3.4 (total)
0.03
2.5
0.2
0.001 (total)
0.05 (total)
1.5
1.5
7.8
2.0
6.0
104
4.5
60
0.04
1.0
2.4
0.3*+
0.03*
—
0.05*
0.0002
0.07
0.025*+
0.020*+
10
—
6.5 - 9.0
0.010
250
500
200
35 mg/l+
0.030*+
nd s no data
*Parameters with potential to equal or exceed standards.
+The receiving water at times equals or exceeds some of these standards now under natural conditions.
NOTES:
Water quality estimates are based upon an analysis of baseline data. No actual sediment pond related tests
were performed. This estimate of quality is not statistically significant and represents possible ranges
only,
n
Range from an analysis of surface water quality. Does not include peak discharge quality measurements (ERT
1985a).
Standard listed is the most stringent for the various protected uses in Alaska. Sources; EPA 1976; McNeely
et al. 1979; Sittig 1981; ADEC 1982; ADEC 1984.
* From Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI. Note - low flow conditions critical and require additional
operational modifications for compliance with turbidity regulations.
Range from an analysis of surface runoff quality (ERT 1985a) and leach data (Bookcliffs 1985).
5-31
-------
sediment pond systems. Since the information for other than
total suspended solids is for dissolved material, it is
assumed for the worst case analysis that sediment pond
settling would not reduce metals or similar contaminant
levels significantly. A comparison with baseline data in
existing site streams illustrates that normal sediment rond
discharge may be expected to have slightly higher levels of
the elevated parameters in the baseline stream water
quality. Treatment to meet state and federal standards
would limit increases in total loadings in the receiving
water. No pollutants significantly in excess of background
levels have been observed in runoff from disturbed site test
areas (ERT 1984e). No significant water quality impact is
anticipated from disturbed site leaching although some
present surface water has slightly elevated levels of boron,
iron, nickel, manganese, zinc, and ammonia nitrogen which
may continue to be periodically above standards or slightly
increase. The projection of a slight increase is based upon
baseline data as well as a leaching test performed on coal
sampj,as. In addition, an analysis of overburden and coal
constituents and corresponding ground-water quality supports
a contention that leaching would not be excessive.
As proposed by the applicant, flocculation and sedimen-
tation treatment for excessive suspended solids, turbidity,
or metals would most likely involve the use of polymers for
solids removal. If required, aluminum sulfate (alum),
ferric chloride, or lime could be employed for metals preci-
pitation. Polymers are listed as "relatively non-toxic"
while lime addition would result in increased pH, higher
dissolved solids, and increased calcium concentrations
(Hawley 1977). Toxicity of lime would normally be pH depen-
dent. The discharge could not be allowed to be elevated to
pH levels causing aquatic impacts. Low levels of alum have
not been found to be toxic (Hawley 1977).
Impacts from site runoff are not anticipated to be
significant with proposed treatment. With present sediment
pond design and planned polymer flocculation, tests have
indicated that treated pit water discharges whicn would
occur during dry periods when high runoff exemptions are not
applicable may be the worst case condition but are not pro-
jected to exceed the limits for total suspended solids with
special operational limits. Refer to Section 5.4.2.3 for an
analysis of potential impacts to fish and other aquatic
plants and animals.
Erosion control for overburden stockpiles would be
accomplished as described for the mine area. Water quality
impacts from these areas are not anticipated to be different
from other disturbed sites.
5-32
-------
Pit Drainage
The actual mine workings or pit would accumulate water
from surface runoff and from ground-water seepage into the
pit. This water would not drain or infiltrate from the
deep pit, but would be collected in the bottom sump of the
pit where settling would substantially reduce sediment
loads. Initial estimates by the applicant indicate up to
70 percent removal of solids in the pit settling areas.
During periods of high rainfall, the pit drainage water
would be high in suspended solids. During low rainfall,
most of the pit drainage water would be from ground-water
drainage and would reflect the quality of the aquifers
intersected and erosion and sediment from excavations.
Table 5-9 illustrates the range of projected con-
ditions for pit water quality. When runoff predominates,
sediment levels after treatment may reach in excess of
20 mg/1 TSS and parameters such as boron, iron, nickel,
manganese, ammonia, nitrogen, and zinc may reach or exceed
standards. When ground-water seepage predominates, pro-
jected suspended solids levels would be lower. It is signi-
ficant that background water quality in the receiving waters
would at times also likely equal or exceed the standards for
boron, iron, nickel, manganese, ammonia, nitrogen, and zinc
as shown by the baseline data. Table 5-9 also lists the
applicable receiving water standards which discharge from
the pit collection sumps must ultimately meet.
Water which would be pumped from the pit would be
discharged into site drainage sediment pond systems. This
would provide additional settling. Diamond Alaska has com-
mitted to a flocculant treatment system to comply with
discharge requirements. Lime or a similar flocculant-
coagulant would be used for metal removal, if necessary,
while a polymer would be used to enhance sediment removal.
The potential for contamination from metals appears to
be small according to laboratory leaching tests. Although
the Beluga low sulfur coal is non-acid generating, some
metals do leach from it in minor quantities (Bookcliffs
1985). If metals treatment or treatment for excessive sedi-
ment load became necessary, a precipitating flocculant could
be introduced before the sediment ponds. The flocculant
would reduce both metals and suspended solids (sediment).
Initial operational testing would determine the need for
such pretreatment since it is difficult to determine under
laboratory conditions.
The impact of the pit drainage would be most signifi-
cant during low winter stream flows. In the winter, surface
runoff would be minimal, while ground-water seepage into the
pit would continue at near normal rates. At certain times,
most of the streamflow in Stream 2003 could be from treated
pit drainages. At other times (depending upon the location
5-33
-------
Table 5-9
PIT DRAINAGE EFFLUENT WATER QUALITY PROJECTION (AFTER SEDIMENTATION AND FLOCCULATION TREATMENT)
Projected In-Pit Water Quality
Parameter
Alkalinity as CaCOj
Aluminum, dissolved (mg/1)
Arsenic, dissolved (mg/1)
Bicarbonate as CaC03 (mg/1)
Boron, dissolved (mg/1)
Cadmium, dissolved (mg/1)
Calcium, dissolved (mg/1)
Carbonate as CaCOj (mg/1)
Chloride (rag/1)
Chromium, dissolved (mg/1)
Conductivity (umhos/ctn 9 25 °C)
Copper, dissolved (mg/1)
Fluoride (mg/1)
Hardness as CaCOj (mg/1)
Iron, dissolved (mg/1)
Lead, dissolved (mg/1)
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/1)
Manganese, dissolved (mg/1)
Mercury, dissolved (mg/1)
Molybdenum, dissolved (mg/1)
Nickel, dissolved (mg/1)
Nitrogen, ammonia (mg/1)
Nitrogen, nitrate/nitrite (mg/1)
Organic carbon, dissolved (mg/1)
pH (units)
Potassium, dissolved (mg/1)
Selenium, dissolved mg/1)
Sodium, dissolved (mg/1)
Solids, dissolved (tng/1)
Sulfate (mg/1)
Suspended Solids (mg/1)
Zinc, dissolved mg/1)
Rainfall
Predominated^-
(Range)
5.5
nd
nd
nd
1.4
nd
0.06 -
nd
11
<0.
0.
0.
<0,
0.
<0.
<0.
<0.
<0.
<0.
5.
0.
0.
2
0.
5
<0.
02 -
01
nd
2
02 -
1
02 -
D01 -
nd
02 -
01 -
05 -
nd
9
25 -
nd
4
43
0.4 (total)
0.1
9.3
4.4
121
0.
0.
3.
0.
2.
0.
0.
0.
1.
1,
7.
2.
6.
09 (total)
09
4 (total)
03
5
2
001 (total)
05 (total)
5
5
8
0
0
Seepage Anticipated
Predominated2 Receiving Water Quality
(Range) Standard3
98
<0.01
99
<0.01
17
0
1,6
-------
of mining activities) major portions of Lone Creek or Stream
2003 flows could be from treated pit drainage. Impacts to
water quality would be greatest when nearby pit operations
divert baseload ground water from the creeks, leaving the
pit return flow as the primary water source. Since pit
drainage would be a continuing winter flow, sediment ponds
and other treatment processes would be operated to assure
unobstructed water flow into and out -of the sediment ponds.
Impacts of treated pit drainage to receiving waters
would be especially critical since little dilution water
would be available in winter. Therefore, in many instances,
no real zone of mixing could be defined. During winter
baseflow conditions, stream turbidities are very low.
Compliance of discharge at low baseflow conditions is not
directly projected by the recent studies and modeling
(Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985, Vol. XXI). However, the
conservative assumptions used, as well as limitations on
discharge rates, proposed double stage flocculation for
problem sediment pond systems, and possible use of
controlled discharge versus stream baseflow suggests that
there is enough flexibility built into the system such that
compliance can be achieved.
The specific impacts could be slight increases in nor-
mal sediment levels and turbidity and possibly in boron,
nickel, iron, manganese, ammonia nitrogen, and zinc con-
centrations. The proposed treatment methods using floc-
culants are slightly reduced in efficiency during very cold
conditions. Although other treatment methods are not
feasible on the scale necessary, use of settling alone to
remove suspended solids as well as precipitated metals would
limit strict compliance with water quality standards without
the proposed operational modifications. Treatment and remo-
val of ammonia nitrogen would not be feasible on such a
large scale nor at such low concentrations. The occurrence
of metals and ammonia nitrogen in the projected pit drainage
flow is based upon baseline data analyses and with present
data is not statistically significant as a projection of
actual pit drainage quality. In addition, estimated impacts
would not be significant compared to baseline conditions.
Mine Service Area
The mine service area would contain shops, coal
transfer points, equipment ready yards, and a small coal
storage area. Sources of waste water during operation
include site runoff, runoff from coal storage and transfer
areas, washdown water from equipment maintenance facilities,
and domestic sewage.
Runoff from disturbed areas would be routed through
stabilized drainage systems and sediment ponds before being
discharged to tributaries of the Chuitna River. Water
quality of the coal storage area and coal transfer point
runoff could be similar to that of the pit drainage.
5-35
-------
No adverse effect on water quality is expected from
water use and the disposal of treated sanitary wastes from
mine site facilities. Domestic waste will be treated by
secondary treatment and discharged into the Chuitna River at
the same location as the discharge from the housing complex.
The effects of dome, tic waste discharges on the Chuitna
River are discussed in detail in the Housing Facilities sec-
tion using the total discharge from both treatment plants.
No significant impact would occur from the discharge of
treated effluent. However, there may be risks from breaks
in the 3.2 km (2 mi) pipeline due to freezing during the
winter. This could result in discharge of treated secondary
effluent to local drainages. The impact of such a spill
would be limited in area and volume and the quality of the
effluent would be high. Adverse impacts from such a spill
would not be significant.
Wildfires and man-caused fires including slash burning
can affect water quality by introducing into water bodies
nutrients and suspended solids resulting from erosion in
burned areas. Depending on the water body, this may be an
adverse or beneficial effect. Fire fighting equipment and
t ^-chniques also disturb watersheds, causing effects on water
quality.
Petroleum product spills into water bodies would ad-
versely affect water quality. A layer of petroleum on the
surface of a water body would inhibit aeration of the water,
reducing the dissolved oxygen content. Soluble fractions
are usually toxic to plant and animal life. The probability
of large spills, however, is low because all storage areas
would be surrounded by dikes capable of retaining 110 per-
cent of the volume of the petroleum product storage tanks.
Additionally, an SPCC plan would be developed to minimize
the potential for accidental discharge of refined products
and to outline cleanup response if a spill occurred.
Solid wastes generated in the mine area would be land-
filled in an approved solid waste disposal site. Permit
restrictions would require design of a facility that would
protect surface and ground-water quality. Wells would be
installed to monitor any adverse effects early so that
actions could be taken to correct any water quality impacts.
The solid waste disposal sites would require fencing
and periodic covering of deposited wastes to control blowing
debris and limit animal problems. Burnables we:.j-d be inci -
erated prior to landfill. Sludges would be stabilized s
required by state law using one or more of the approved
methods prior to inclusion in the landfill.
Reclamation of landfill sites would include covering,
contouring for proper drainage, and revegetation. Impacts
would be limited to visual, noise, and site disturbances
5-36
-------
during use. Upon closure, the reclaimed site would be moni-
tored for water quality impacts and reclamation success. A
properly constructed, operated, and reclaimed site should
limit significant long-term environmental impacts.
Sediment from the sediment ponds would be removed
periodically to maintain pond capacity. The sediment would
contain classified particles from erosion and pit dewatering
activities. The material should represent the general com-
position of the existing overburden, interburden, and
possibly coal site materials. Grain size of pond sediment
would likely be smaller than the average site material.
However, chemical composition should not be markedly dif-
ferent from a composite sample of the various site materials
mixed at different proportions depending upon season and
mining activity. The material may not be suitable for use
in revegetation or for placement in the top soil zone due to
higher than normal concentrations of parameters that could
inhibit plant growth or the erosion potential of the smaller
grain size distribution. Therefore, if pond sediment is
found to "be unsuitable, it would be buried under a layer
(1.2 m [4' ft] minimum) of suitable erosion-resistant growth
material.
The chemical composition of the sediment should be no
more concentrated than individual geologic formations unless
some natural flotation or gravity separation process is
involved. However, the location and absence of weathering
of sediments could result in greater reactivity of sedi-
ments. Therefore, monitoring will be necessary to fully
assess short-term water quality impacts and suitability for
use as plant growth media.
5.3.2.4 Biology
Mine Area
Construction, operation, and reclamation of the Diamond
Chuitna Mine would result in a progression of changes over
more than 30 years in the surface water quality and hydro-
logy of mine area streams, primarily upper portions of
Stream 2003. The nature and extent of. these changes has
been discussed above. Changes in the physical and chemical
characteristics of the streams would cause changes in asso-
ciated biota that would range from extreme and highly pre-
dictable (in cases of mining through existing drainages) to
subtle and/or highly unpredictable (in adjacent streams such
as Lone Creek and in downstream reaches of 2003). A major
unknown is the time required to restore aquatic productivity
to mined drainages. For the purpose of impact analysis,
both the 10-year and 30-year impact scenarios have been con-
sidered (Tables 5-10 and 5-11).
At the 10-year point in mine development, 4.3 km (2.67
mi) of smaller tributaries to Stream 2003 would be mined
5-37
-------
Table 5-10
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Table 5-11
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-------
through, in various stages of preparation for mining, or
occupied by sediment ponds (Table 5-10). Full development
of the 30-year mine pit would result in the direct destruc-
tion of some 14.6 km (9.1 miles) of stream habitat, mostly
(98 percent) in system 2003 (Table 5-11). Measured or
extrapolated levels of anadromous fish use (spawning and
rearing) of these areas is generally high (Table 4-11).
Available information suggests that downstream impacts
due to changes in water quality would be minimal except
where sediment pond discharges comprise a major percentage
of streamflow. The applicant intends to meet all applicable
state and federal water quality standards. Nonetheless,
extended periods of above-ambient levels of suspended sedi-
ments and turbidity would inevitably result from instream
and in-drainage work in the mine area and from sediment
retention pond discharges, especially during the winter.
Heavy siltation can smother aquatic invertebrates that
comprise roughly one-half or more of the diet of trout and
salmon in small streams (Dames & Moore 1976). Loss of
interstices among larger gravel and cobbles removes areas of
refuge for fry and may increase predation loss to birds or
larger fish. Emergence pathways may also be blocked,
resulting in delayed emergence or entombment of alevins
(Phillips et al. 1975) .
Siltation can also reduce fish production by reducing
circulation of aerated water through the spawning gravel
necessary for survival of eggs and alevins (Mason 1969).
High turbidity (e.g., greater than 30 N.T.U.) greatly
reduces feeding efficiency (Berg and Northcote 1985).
Reduced light penetratiota of turbid water, if prolonged, may
decrease growth of periphyton* on which some fish food orga-
nisms suosist. Healthy fish adapted to living in streams
which traditionally flood at least once a year protect their
gills by secretion of mucus to carry off the irritants.
Prolonged exposure of fish to high concentrations of
suspended particles with a hardness greater than one may
cause damage to the gills and, in extreme cases, lead to
death (EIFAC 1965; Cordone and Kelly 1961). The effect of
natural siltation in local creeks is minimized by its asso-
ciation with periods of high runoff when stream velocities
and turbulance are great enough to prevent significant depo-
sition. Introduction of silt into streams during periods of
low flow, when deposition is greatest, has a far more
damaging impact on stream biota. Recent work by Berg and
Northcote (1985) has shown that even short pulses of turbid
water in the 30-60 NTU range reduces not only coho juvenile
feeding efficiency but territorial behavior patterns as
well.
The planned erosion and water quality control program
for construction and operations should reduce sediment
introduction during critical low flow periods. Erosion
5-40
-------
control measures also would reduce inputs during high runoff
periods. However, some siltation would be inevitable as a
result of work in and near streams, normal sediment reten-
tion pond discharges, or overloading of silt collection
facilities during heavy rainfall. Some reduction in the
abundance of benthic fauna and reduced growth rates of fish
would likely result in stream areas near discharge points.
Reduced survival of salmonid eggs and alevins in the stream
bed gravels could occur downstream of discharge points
(e.g., middle and lower 2003) when such sediments remain in
spawning gravels during the winter intragravel development
period for salmon. Discharges of water containing suspended
materials under ice in the winter may be particularly harm-
ful. If water quality standards are met during mine opera-
tion, sediment impacts would probably not be significant.
In addition to occasional introduction of above ambient
suspended sediment loads, sediment pond discharges may
intermittently contain levels of zinc approaching standards
required for protection of aquatic life. Toxic effects of
many trace metals, including zinc, on aquatic life are known
to be highly dependent on water pH, hardness, and (less pre-
dictably) temperature (EPA 1972j Hodson and Sprague 1975).
Acute toxicity generally increases with decreasing pH (below
7,0) as a result (in part at least) of the increased mobi-
lity and bioavailability of metals (EPA 1976). The pH
values in surface waters of the study area are slightly
basic, generally ranging between 7.5 to 8.5. ' Increasing
hardness (commonly reported as equivalent concentration of
calcium carbonate) reduces the toxic effects of divalent
metal ions such as copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium (EPA
1976). Hardness in study area waters is typically low,
ranging between 10 and 50 mg/1 (as CaC03) with higher values
during periods of lower flow and vice versa, thus little
reduction in metal toxicity would be expected. Effects of
temperature on metal toxicity are more variable with
increased or decreased toxicity depending on species, accli-
mation temperature, exposure temperature, and metals con-
centration (whether above or below acutely lethal levels)
(Hodson and Sprague 1975? Cairns et al. 1975).
Brown (1976) has suggested that fish can tolerate toxic
metals up to a given concentration by actively secreting
them back into the water (via gills or kidney) or by having
them bound to a specific protein (metallothionein) .
However, once a threshold value is reached, only a slightly
higher concentration causes mortality (the "spill-over
hypotheses"). Roch et al. (1982), in studies of fish popu-
lations in contaminated reaches of the Campbell River system
(British Columbia), concluded that metallothionein con-
centration was a useful measure of the degree of exposure to
fish to heavy metals.
Levels of zinc projected for intermittent release from
the ponds (0.04 mg/1) approach the EPA 24-hour average cri-
5-41
-------
terion for zinc (0.047 mg/1). These levels are all well
below the maximum level of 0.534 rag/1 shown by Holcombe et
al. (1979) to have no effect on survival, growth, or repro-
duction in brook trout. They are also below the maximum
level of 0.112 mg/1 shown by Chapman (1978) to have no
effect on adult to smolt survival, fertility, fecundity,
growth, or saltwater adaptability of sockeye salmon.
Exposure to 0.242 rag/1 similarly had no effect over the
embryo to smolt exposure period for sockeye. Thus, no
measureable effects are expected on study area fish due to
zinc exposures.
Another possible, but unpredictable, impact on salmon
related to water quality concerns the fact that adult salmon
identify their home stream by "smelling" the water. The
addition of sediment or small concentrations of metallic
pollutants would be unlikely to interfere with this ability.
However, the transfer of water from one watershed to
another, or, as is the case with Stream 2003, the elimina-
tion of headwaters could alter water chemistry to a suf-
ficient degree to confuse homing ability. Such confusion
could result in spawning occurring in marginal habitat or,
at worst, elimination of a tributary as spawning habitat.
Water allocation to various streams from the sediment pond
and diversion systems would vary with the extent of mine
development.
Changes in stream flow downstream of the mine pit on
all three streams (Lone Creek, 2003, and 2004) during opera-
tion would result in changes in stream habitat for anadro-
mous salmonids. Altered stream flow can have varied impacts
on fish habitats depending on the direction and magnitude of
the change, the time of year 'the change occurs, and the
nature of fish populations present. ERT (1985c) performed
an instream flow incremental methodology (IFIM) on Lone
Creek and Stream 2003 for the first 10 years of mine life
using the me-.hodology developed by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Servi ;e (Bovee 1982). Their results indicate that
for "normal" water years, slightly decreased flows (0.028
m-Vsec [1 cfs] reduction at all stations and times was
assumed) would have a variety of effects on fish habitat.
During summer and fall, the reduced flows would generally
result in reduced habitat for coho juvenile and spawning
chinooks while increasing habitat for chinook juveniles.
Flow reductions used in these analyses do not reflect the
maximum projected over the 30-year project life and do not
evaluate the potential impacts during winter, which may be
the most critical time period for fish.
Based on available information on the cumulative
effects of all of the physical and chemical alterations
likely downstream of the mined area, a subjective estimate
has been formulated of a likely resultant reduction in fish
habitat in these reaches ("maximum percentage habitat
reduction") for the 10 year and 30 year scenarios (Tables
5-42
-------
5-10 and 5-11). This maximum percentage habitat reduction
factor logically can range from 0 percent (no change in
habitat) to 100 percent (complete destruction of the stream
as it is mined through). Intermediate values are based
largely on the maximum reduction in minimum stream flow that
would occur when no return flow is provided to the streams
from ground water entering the pit. During the summer
months, the effects of this unlikely and short term
occurrence (e.g., due to pump or power failure) could be
readily modelled using the IFIM for selected species and
life history stages (Diamond Alaska Coal Company 19853.
Such an analysis would likely show changes in habitat for a
given flow change that vary in magnitude and direction with
species and life history stage. The most damaging summer-
time scenario would occur if a flow reduction caused drying
of redds containing pink or chinook salmon eggs. However,
IFIM is not appropriate for modeling changes in habitat that
would occur due to the more likely scenario where cold
weather causes the water entering the pit to freeze
resulting in interception of ground water which normally
would be pumped to the streams. Because limited data are
available to address this condition and because of its like-
lihood of occurrence, the predicted winter flow reductions
(Table 5-7) have been used as the primary basis for
assigning the maximum percent habitat reduction values.
These values are considered to be indicative of the relative
magnitude of habitat reduction that might be experienced
between stream reaches subjected to varying degrees of
project-related impacts.
This estimated percentage reduction is used to weigh
fish habitat loss estimates and to calculate resultant fish
losses. It is assumed that there is a one to one relation-
ship between habitat loss and fish loss. This would occur
only if habitat is limiting to the species/life history
stage in question, which is unlikely in portions of these
streams to which beaver dams appear to limit access. In
addition, it would only occur if the flow (i.e., habitat)
reduction was prolonged; for example, a few days of lowered
flows during the summer might reduce fish growth rates
somewhat but would be unlikely to cause significant mor-
talities. This application is therefore conservative and
represents a worst-case scenario.
Because access to many areas of the three mine area tri-
butaries is severely limited by beaver dams (Dames & Moore
1980; Diamond Alaska Coal Company 1985), there is a high
degree of variability in numbers of adults using the middle
and upper reaches of these streams from year to year.
Therefore, combined losses from both direct habitat loss in
the pit area and indirect downstream effects have been
calculated two ways (Tables 5-10 and 5-11): 1) using maxi-
mum documented spawner densities, and 2) using estimated
potential maximum densities of both spawners and rearing
fish. Calculations using potential maximum densities indi-
5-43
-------
cate that at year 10, habitat for 505 chinook, 360 echo, and
3,320 pink adults might be lost, assuming a maximum escape-
ment for each species and assuming that fish encountering
this habitat degradation do not successfully spawn
elsewhere.
As discussed in the surface hydrology section, the
period of maximum hydrological impact would occur in the
later years of mining and in the early years of reclamation
perhaps occupying years 20 through 30 of mine life. Worst
case impacts would apply to this time period. As shown on
Table 5-11, at the 30-year point in mine life, habitat for a
calculated 1,970 chinook, 1,170 coho, and 11,300 pink salmon
spawners might be lost under the worst case assumptions
stated above.
Using the maximum documented (c.f. potential) spawning
density in a similar calculation (Table 5-10) yields
substantially lower adult loss figures: 165 chinook, 115
coho, and 810 pink spawners lost at the 10-year point due to
habitat degradation (assuming that fish encountering this
lost habitat do not successfully spawn elsewhere). These
losses would constitute reductions of 2.8, 4.6 and 4.0 per-
cent, respectively, of the maximum estimated system escape-
ments for chinook, coho, and pink salmon (Table 4-12). At
the 30-year point in mine life, a similar calculation gives
an estimated habitat loss for 875 chinook, 365 coho, and
2,900 pink salmon spawners (14.6, 14.6 and 14.2 percent,
respectively, of the maximum estimated system escapements).
In addition, habitat for 23,750 juvenile chinook,
57,200 juvenile coho, and 14,600 juvenile and adult rainbow
and Dolly Varden also could be lost at year 10 (Table 5-10).
These losses of juvenile habitat would result in a potential
additional loss of some 238 and 571 returning adult chinook
and coho salmon, respectively, assuming a 1 percent
juvenile-to-adult survival. At the 30-year point in mine
life (Table 5-11), habitat losses could affect 91,000 chi-
nook, 179,300 coho, and 52,300 rainbow and Dolly Varden.
These losses of juvenile habitat, if realized, could result
in the loss of approximately 911 chinook and 1,793 coho
adults - a very high percentage of the maximum documented
total system escapement.
Obviously, these numbers are highly conservative in
that they assume coincident loss of all stream habitats that
would be affected by mine operation. They also assume maxi-
mum potential values of fish usage. Finally, these loss
calculations have assumed the worst case flow reduction
factors for each reach based on Table 5-7 which assumes
interruption of the normal return flow to the streams from
pit dewatering as discussed above. In actuality, there
would be a loss of flow, hence productivity, in each creek
for some years as the mine pit is progressively excavated
and backfilled and the stream is rehabilitated. The degree
5-44
-------
or success with which streams can be rehabilitated is
unknown and would depend on the level of effort expended,
the degree to which the existing physical habitat can be
reconstructed, and perhaps most importantly, the rate of
ground-water recharge. Certainly there would be a long term
(e.g., several decades or more) loss of habitat due to the
difficulty of reconstructing habitat as good as naturally
exists and due to loss of habitat area where highly sinuous
stream reaches are replaced by straighter reaches.
Using the habitat value ratings assigned for the
several stream reaches in the mine area, the wetted surface
area of each reach, and the estimated maximum percent habi-
tat loss (Tables 5-10 and 5-11), the area of habitat lost in
each category for each species has been calculated for the
10-year and 30-year mine scenario (Tables 5-12 and 5-13).
These calculations show a moderate potential loss after 10
years of 1.21 ha (2.99 ac) of very high quality chinook
habitat in the lower reaches of the three tributaries and in
the Chuitna River itself (4.02 ha [9,9 ac] after 30 years).
Another 1.01 ha (2.5 ac) of high quality chinook habitat
would be lost in the middle reaches of the three tributaries
after 10 years (4.25 ha [10.50 ac] after 30 years). Very
high quality coho habitat (1.02 ha [2.52 ac ]) would be lost
from the middle reaches of each tributary after 10 years
(4.02 ha [9.9 ac ] after 30 years) with additional loss of
high quality coho habitat in all other area waters. High
quality pink spawning habitat (2.43 ha [6.0 ac] and 8.60 ha
[21.2 ac] after 10 and 30 years, respectively) would be lost
from the mainstream of Lone Creek and 2003 where heavy
spawning was noted in 1980,
5.3.3 Impacts tothe Marine Environment
There would be no impacts to the marine environment
associated with the mine and mine facilities,
5.3.4 Air QualityImpacts
Ambient air quality monitoring data are not available
for the project site. Air quality monitoring done in the
project region, however, demonstrates that ambient air
quality levels are well below the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS). Current ambient air quality
levels at the project site are therefore expected to be in
attainment with the NAAQS (see Section 4.6.2). Since air
quality modeling was done for the whole project, the
following discussion will cover the mine, mine service area,
ports, transportation corridors, and housing sites,
5.3.4.1 Emissions
The project would generate emissions of several pollu-
tants including nitrogen oxides (NOX)/ sulfur dioxide (S02)>
carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HO, particulate matter
5-45
-------
Table 5-12
WEIGHTED MAXIMUM POTENTIAL HABITAT LOSS (HA) BY LOCALLY ASSIGNED CATEGORY,
DRAINAGE AND SPECIES (YEAR 1U)
Habitat Value
Vtry High
High
Medium
Low
System
- Chuitna
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- Chuitna
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- Chuitna
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- Chuitna
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
Chinook
0.81
0.21
0.18
0
a
0.42
0.60
0
0
0.18
0,42
0
Q
0
0.46
0
Evaluation
Coho
0
0.42
0.60
0
0.81
0.39
1,07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 .
0
0
Species
Pink
Q
0
0
0
0.81
0.63
1.00
0
0
0.18
0
0
0
0
0.68
0
Rainbow/Dolly Varden
0
0
0
0
0.81
o.ia
0.39
0
Q
0.63
1.28
0
0
0
0
0
Total Potential Losa
- Very High
- High
- Medium
- Low
1.21
1.02
0.60
0.46
1.02
2.27
0
0
0
2.43
0.1B
0.68
0
1.38
1.91
0
This area is the sum of the products of area and maximum habitat reduction (Table 5-11)
for each reach with the habitat value in question.
5-46
-------
Table 5-13
WEIGHTED HAXIMUM POTENTIAL HABITAT LOSS (HA) BY LOCALLY ASSIGNED CATEGORY,
DRAINAGE AND SPECIES (YEAR 30)
Habitat Value
Very High
High
Medium
Low
System
- Chuitna
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- Chuitna
- 2Q02
- 2003
- 2004
- Chuitna
- ZOO 2
- 2003
- 2004
- Chuitna
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
Chinook
2.02
0.43
1.39
0.18
Q
0.84
3.09
0,32
0
0.35
0.51
0.15
0
Q
1.33
0
Evaluation
Coho
0
0.84
3.09
0.04
2.02
0.78
3.23
0,32
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Species
Pink
0
0
0
0
2.02
1.27
5.31
0
0
0.35
0
0
0
Q
1.02
0.64
Rainbow/Dolly Varden
0
0
0
0
2.02
0.35
2.22
0.39
0
1.27
4.11
0.35
0
0
0
0
Total Potential Loss
- Very High
- High
- Medium
- Low
4,02
4.25
1,01
1.33
3,97
6.36
D
0
0
8.60
0,35
1.66
0
4.88
5.73
0
This area is the sum of the products of aret and maximum habitat reduction (Table 5-12)
for each reach with the habitat value in question.
5-47
-------
(PM), and lead (Pb). Any project, before it can be per-
mitted, must demonstrate the ability to comply with the
NAAQS for these pollutants. All projects must also show
compliance with the Prevention of Significant Air Quality
Deterioration (PSD) increments for SC>2 and PM (stationary
sources only).
Due to the large amount of particulates associated with
mining projects, particulate emissions are of special con-
cern. Air quality impact analyses have' been performed to
quantify the PM and SC>2 impacts associated with the project
(TRC Environmental Consultants 1986, 1987a, 1987b). An ana-
lysis of air emissions (assuming that full production would
be reached after 4 years) showed that the third and fourth
years of coal production would have the largest emissions of
particulate matter, the pollutant of greatest concern (TRC
Environmental Consultants 1987b). Delayed phase-up to full
production would mitigate air quality impacts somewhat
because higher coal production levels would occur during
later years of the project when the amounts of overburden to
be removed would be less. However, this mitigating effect
would not be expected to be substantial and largest
emissions would still occur in the third and fourth years.
Production phase emissions sources would include
those which produce particulate matter only and those which
produce gaseous pollutants (NOX, S02, CO, PM, and THC) .
Particulates sources would include coal and overburden
handling activities and vehicle travel over unpaved roads.
Gaseous pollutant sources would include bulldozer, ship, and
other vehicle tailpipe emissions and slash burning. Annual
emissions from all significant sources of particulate ma~ter
are shown in Table 5-14. The estimates are called int r-
mediate production and full production, corresponding to :e
*:hird and fourth years of production, and represent maximum
emissions and impacts. Annual gaseous pollutant emissions
are presented in Table 5-15. Short-term particulate
emissions for full production and production year 3 are pre-
sented in Tables 5-16 and 5-17, respectively. Calculations
of all emissions plus discussions of potential but insigni-
ficant air emissions sources are given in Appendix E. Where
feasible, emissions were assigned to one of the four func-
tional areas of the project: the mine area, the mine ser-
vices area, the port facility, or the housing facility.
Emissions which do not occur in one of the four functional
areas, such as overland conveyor emissions or miscellaneous
vehicle emissions, are classed under general project area
emissions .
Slash burning emissions would require a separate per-
mit. It, was the applicant's initial plan to bury the slash
material in the backfill areas of the pit. However, other
mi t.
5-48
-------
Table 5-14
PRODUCTION-PHASE ANNUM, PARTICULATE
Source
Mine Area:
Land clearing/reclamation
Overburden removal - truck shovel
Overburden removal - dragline
Overburden hauling
Overburden dunping
Coal removal
Coal hauling
Ccal duirping
Coal primary crushing
Wind erosion
Haul road itaintenance/graders
Mine area combustion sources (a)
Mine Area Subtotal:
Mine Service Areas
Secondary coal crushing
Coal screening
Coal handling
Coal stockpile
Wind erosion
Mine Service Area Subtotal:
Port Area:
Coal handling
Ccal stockpile
Wind erosion
Port area combustion sources
Port Area Subtotal:
Housing Area:
Housing area ccrobustion sources (a!
Housing Area Subtotal:
General Project Area:
Overland conveyor
Miscellaneous vehicle traffic
General Project Area Subtotal:
TOTAL
Intermediate
Production
Emissions
(ton/yr)
55.5
0.1
165.0
225.6
0.1
6.3
43.6
0.0
0.6
38.0
15.6
35.0
585.4
1.8
3.0
0.0
20.5
10.0
35.3
0.0
218.1
11.9
6.6
236.6
7.7
7.7
8.4
9.1
17.5
882.5
EMISSIONS
Full
Production
Emissions
(ton/yr)
55.5
0.1
221.4
62.9
0.1
12.6
87.3
0.0
1.2
35.9
15.6
30.4
523.0
3.6
8.0
0.0
20.5
10.0
40,1
0.0
218.1
11.9
6.6
236.6
7.7
7.7
8.4
9.1
17.5
824.9
Note: Bnission rates listed as 0.0 are less than 0.05 tons per year.
(a)Further delineated in Table 5-15.
5-49
-------
Table 5-15
GASEOUS MID PARTICUIATE ANNUAL COMBUSTION EMISSIONS
£- rce N
Annual
Ox S02
Emissions I
03
;tons per year)
voc
FM
Mine Area
Slash burning 4,8 0.0 167.9 28.9 20.4
Haul tracks 96.3(172.8)b 10.5(19.1) 27.0(48.1) 4.3(8.0) 5.9(10.5
Dozers 92.8 7.8 40.0 4.3 3.7
Graders 4,3 0.5- 0.9 0.2 0.4
Fuel Storage — ___JZ__ — 3.0 —
Mine Area Subtotal 198.2(274.7) 18.8(27.4) 235.8(256.9) 40.7(44.4) JO.4(35.0)
Port Area
Ships 15.0 95.1 2.1 0.2 6.6
Fuel Storage — — — 11.1
Housing Facility
Incinerator 3.3 2.7 11.0 3.3 7.7
General Project Area
Miscellaneous
vehicles Q.1 0.0 0/7 0.1 0. 0
Total 216.6 216.6 249.6 55.4 44.7
(293.3) (225.2) (270.7) (59.1) (49.3)
1
a Haul truck emissions include overburden and coal handling.
b Numbers in parentheses reflect emissions for production year 3 where these
differ from full production emissions.
5-50
-------
Table 5-16
FULL PRODUCTION SHQRT-TEBM PfSSZOJlfSE EMISSIONS
Source
Mine Area:
Land clearing/reclamation
Overburden removal - truck shovel
Overburden rasoval - dragline
Overburden hauling
Overburden dunping
Coal removal
Ccal hauling
Coal dunping
Ccal primary crushing
Wind erosion
Haul road naintenance/gradera
Mine area combustion sources
Mine Area Subtotals
nine Service Area:
Secondary coal crushing
Coal screening
Coal handling
Coal stockpile
Wind erosion
Mine Service Area Subtotal:
Port Area:
Coal handling
Coal stockpile
Wind erosion
Port area combustion sources
Port Area Subtotals
Housing Area:
Housing area combustion sources
Housing Area Subtotal:
General Project Area:
Overland conveyor
Miscellaneous vehicle traffic
General Preject Area Subtotal:
TOTAL
Pull
Production
Bnissions
Clb/hr)
13.7
0.0
50.6
14.4
0.0
2.9
19.9
-------
Table 5-17
PRODUCTION 1£ERR 3 SHOOT-TERM PAKTteUMTE EMISSIONS
Source
Production
Year 3
Emissions
(Ib/hr)
Mine Area:
land clearing/reclamation
Overburden -asoval - truck shovel
Overburden .anoval - dragline
Overburden hauling
Overburden dunping
Coal rarcval
Coal hauling
Coal dunping
Coal primary crushing
Wind erosion
Haul road neintenance/graders
Mine area combustion sources
Mine Area Subtotal:
Mine Service Area:
Secondary coal crushing
Coal screening
Coal handling
Coal stockpile
Hind erosion
Mine Service Area Subtotal:
Port Area:
Coal handling
Coal stockpile
Wind erosion
Port area combustion sources
Port Area Subtotal:
Housing Areas
Housing area combustion sources
Housing Area Subtotal:
General Project Area:
Overland conveyor
Miscellaneous vehicle traffic
General Project Area Subtotal:
TOTAL
13.7 Based on 333 days per year versus 365 days per year.
-------
Alaska State agencies have expressed concerns regarding bark
beetle populations in the slash materials and have requested
burning as a disposal method.
Production phase emissions given in Tables 5-14
and 5-15 are subject to both the NAAQS and PSD increments.
In addition to the production phase emissions from the pro-
ject, there would be construction and other temporary
emissions. The construction emissions would consist of land
clearing and slash burning emissions and would occur during
the first three years of the project. The temporary
emissions would consist of the emissions from overland truck
coal haul during the first two years of coal production
before the overland conveyor is constructed. These
construction and temporary sources must comply with the
NAAQS, but are exempt from the PSD increments. These
construction and temporary sources would primarily emit par-
ticulates. Particulate emissions associated with these
sources are given in Table 5-18.
The final category of emissions associated with the
project are the secondary emissions from power generation.
A nearby utility would provide generation capacity to accom-
modate the Diamond Chuitna project. Diamond Chuitna's needs
for this project would be approximately 33 megawatts on an
annual average basis, while peak demand would be up to 55
megawatts. Table 5-19 shows typical peak hourly and annual
average air emissions associated with this demand. These
emissions are calculated assuming one 30 MW turbine for
average demand and two 30 MW turbines operating to meet peak
demand.
The major air emission control measures currently pro-
posed for the project include the application of water and
dust control chemicals to the haul roads, installing
baghouse devices on the crushers, hooding of the overland
conveyor, application of water, as needed, to the stock-
piles, and compaction of the unused portions of the stock-
piles. Air emission controls for specific activities are
given in more detail in Appendix E.
5.3.4.2 Air Dispersion Modeling Results
Air dispersion modeling (TRC Environmental Consultants
1986, 1987a, 198?b, 1988) was performed to determine the
short-term and long-term impacts of production phase par-
ticulate emissions on ambient air quality. The Industrial
Source Complex (ISC) model was used for this analysis. It
is an EPA-approved air quality dispersion model. The
emission sources were grouped according to location as
follows:
5-53
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Table 5-18
CONSTRUCTION AND TEMPORARY EMISSIONS
Annual Emissions (tons per year)
Source
Construction
Land Clearing
-Fugitive Dust
-Tai Ipipe Exhaust
Slash Burning
Total Construction
Temporary
Overland Truck Coal Haul
-Fugitive Dust
-Tai Ipipe Exhaust
Total Temporary
NO*
103.0
4.8
107.8
220.3
220.3
S02
8.6
0.0
8.6
24.0
24.0
CO
44.3
167.6
211.9
61.6
61.6
VOC
4.7
28.8
33.5
10.0
10.0
PM
61.6
4.1
20.4
86.1
343.0
13.6
356.6
Table 5-19
POTENTIAL TURBINE EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH
POWER GENERATION FOR THE DIAMOND CHUITNA PROJECT
Pol lutant
NOX
S02
PM
voc
CO
Gas
Peak Hourly
(Ib/hr)
165.1
negl igible
5.7
1.7
11.1 .
Firing
Annual Average
(tpy)
723 .
negl igible
25.0
7.6
48.6
5-54
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0 pit sources: those located in the area where the
mining and overburden removal operations are
ongoing
a mine area haul roads: including the haul trucks,
other vehicles, and graders
° mine facilities area: including crushers, con-
veyors, and the mine stockpile
° overland conveyor
0 port area: including the port conveyor operations,
the port stockpile, and the ships
Table 5-20 "shows the modeled particulate matter impacts
for the intermediate and full production years. Based on
air dispersion modeling results, the project is in
compliance with the previous TSP and new PM}_o ambient stan-
dards, as well as the PSD increments for TSP and the project
is in conformance with the Alaska State Implementation Plan.
The ISC model was also used to determine the impact of
overland truck haul emissions on ambient air quality. Peak
24-hour average concentrations for these temporary construc-
tion emissions were approximately 57 micrograms per cubic
meter. This concentration, even if added to a conservative
background concentration of 50 micrograms per cubic meter,
is still well below the previous 150 microgram per cubic
meter TSP and the new PM]_Q ambient standards. As the
overland truck haul emissions are a temporary source, PSD
increments would not apply.
The only other pollutant of significant concern for
this project is sulfur dioxide (S02) which is emitted from
oil combustion .in the ship boilers during "hoteling" opera-
tions in port. Table 5-21 shows the SC>2 impacts associated
with coal ship operations•at the port. Peak predicted con-
centrations for 3-hour and 24-hour averaging periods were
122 ug/m3 and 21 ug/m3, respectively. The values are well
below the applicable 3-hour and 24-hour sulfur dioxide PSD
increments of 512 nq/m^ and 91 ug/m3, respectively. Carbon
monoxide and nitrogen oxides were not modeled to determine
air quality impacts.
The impacts of the nearby power plant expansion would
be addressed in a separate air permit application. It is
not expected that there would be a significant cumulative
air quality impact from these two projects.
5.3.4.3 Visibility
A level 1 visibility screening analysis (see
Appendix E) showed that there will be no visibility impacts
from the project on any Class I area.
5-55
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Table 5-20
AIR QUALITY MODELING ANALYSIS
TOTAL SUSPF1DED PARTICUIATE (TSP) CONCENTRATIONS
Background Total PMlO(a) TSP(b)
Production Modeled TSP TSP TSP Ambient PSD
Phase/Averaging Concentration Concentration Concentration Standard Increment
Period (ug/m^) (ug/m^) (ug/rn^) (ug/m^)
Intermediate Production
24-hour 34.5 50.0(c) 84.5 150 37
Annual 3.5(e) 9.0(d) 12.5 50 19
Full Production
24-hour 36.8 50.0(c) 36.8 150 37
Annual 3.5(e) 9.0(d) 12.5 50 19
The total concentration should be compared with the ambient standards for
PM10, since PM10 concentrations will always be less than or equal to the
TSP concentrations.
(b) The modeled TSP concentrations should be compared with the PSD increments.
(c) Second highest value observed at Tesoro Petroleum Corporation air moni-
toring station near Kenai, Alaska from June 1, 1981 to May 31, 1982
(Radian 1982).
(d) Average TSP concentration observed at Tesoro Petroleum Corporation air
monitoring station near Kenai, Alaska from June 1, 1981 to May 31, 1982.
(e) Annual impacts based on air quality impact analysis prepared by TRC
Environmental Consultants, December 11, 1986 and submitted to the AlasKa
Department of Environmental Conservation. These correspond to particulate
matter emissions of 527.8 tons per year at the mine and mine services
area and 87.3 tons per year at the port area.
5-56
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Table 5-21
AIR QUALITY MODELING ANALYSIS
SULFUR DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS
Averaging Period
3-hour
24-hour
Annual
Peak Project
Concentration
(ug/rn3)
122
21
NA(a)
Background
Concentration
(ug/m3)
35.0(b)
7.0(b)
0.3(b)
Total
Concentration
(ug/rn3)
157.0
28.0
ND(d)
Ambient
Standard
(ug/m3)
1300
365
30
(a) Not available.
(b) Second highest value observed at Tesoro Petroleum Corporation air moni-
toring station near Kenai, Alaska from June 1, 1981, to May 31, 1982,
(Radian 1982).
(c) Annual average geometric mean concentration recorded at the Tesoro
Petroleum Corporation air monitoring station near Kenai, Alaska from June
1, 1981, to May 31, 1982, (Radian 1982).
(d) Not determined.
5-57
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5.3.4.4 Summary
In summary, during project construction, operation and
reclamation, maximum pr icted short- and long-term con-
centrations of particule matter and sulfur dioxide, when
added to background levels or compared to PSD increments,
would not exceed any state or federal ambient air quality
standards in the Kenai, Anchorage, or Tyonek areas or within
the undeveloped area outside of Diamond Chuitna Project
lease areas. Based on the modeled emissions, it is not
anticipated that any short- or long-term ozone, carbon
monoxide, or nitrogen oxide ambient air quality standards
would be exceeded as a' result of this project.
It should be noted that this analysis has addressed
major air quality issues and concerns. Particulate matter
dispersion modeling and air emissions control technology
aspects and concerns will be further addressed in an appli-
cation for a permit to operate from the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation.
5.3.5 No i s e Impa c t s
The Diamond Chuitna Coal Project would be located in a
relatively isolated area. Typical natural noise levels in
areas similar to the Beluga region range from 15 to 45
dB(A), which is considered quiet. Natural noise levels up
to 65 dB(A) may be associated with storms and wildlife
activities. Coastal areas would have higher noise levels
due to strong winds and wave and ice movements.
The mine site would be one of the two areas with the
highest noise levels during project operations. Major noise
'sources in the mine area would include infrequent blasting,
bulldozers, front-end loaders, draglines, haul trucks, and
crushing equipment. Table 5-22 shows typical noise levels
associated with mining equipment. Blasting sound pressure
levels are normally thought of as relatively loud noises,
However, blasting noise propagates in lower frequencies
somewhat like a thunderclap. Low frequency sound of this
type would usually be tolerable since it would occur infre-
quently. The other mine site sound sources would probably
combine to a sound level of 100 dB(A) at 15 m (50 ft).
Human receptors in the project vicinity would include
project workers and occasional recreational or subsistence
hunters and fishermen. The village of Tyonek would be a
minimum of 14.4 km (9 mi) from the mine site and it is
unlikely that project-generated noise (except possibly occa-
sional blasting) would be audible to Tyonek residents.
Noise-related impacts to wildlife are discussed in Section
5.3.1.5.
5-58
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Table 5-22
ESTIMATED SOUND LEVELS GENERATED BY
MINE AREA EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
Sound Source Sound Pressure Level 1
dB(A)
Blasting 170 @ 91 m (300 ft)
Bulldozers 87 @ 15 m (50 ft)
Front-end Loaders 90 (P 15 m (50 ft)
Haul Trucks 90 (P 15 m (50 ft)
Primary/Secondary Crushers 95 @ 15 m (50 ft)
Utility Vehicles 80 i 15 m (50 ft)
Aircraft Operations 95 @ 15 m (50 ft)
Conveyor 78 @ 10 m (33 ft)
For Compar1 son:
OSHA Regulation
(15 min. exposure) 115 (max. allowable)
Jackharnmer ' 95 @ 15 m (50 ft)
OSHA Regulation
(8 hr. exposure) 90 @ ear
Automobile
(100 km/hr [62 mi/hr]) 71 § 15 m (50 ft)
Typical Outdoor Noise
(wind, rain, birds) 40 @ 15 m (50 ft)
Soft Whisper 35 @ 2 m (6 ft)
1 The sound pressure level in decibels (Db) corresponding to a sound pres-
sure (P) is compared to a reference level of 20 micropascals. Sound
pressures for various frequencies of noise are weighted by factors (A
weights) which account for the response of the human ear. The sound
pressure level is dB(A) = 20 LoglO (P/20).
5-59
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5.3.6 Socigeccnomic Impacts
5.3.6.1 Anchorage and Central Kenai Peninsula
Socioeconomic impacts in Anchorage and the Central
Kenai Peninsula would arise due to employment and income
generated by the project. The project development schedule
calls for a three-year construction period. Construction
would begin in the spring with the workforce expected to
peak at 1,300 workers by approximately October of the second
year (Fig. 2-15). Once the peak of construction is past,
employment at the site would decline for the remaining year
of construction, then climb during mine operation over a
four-year period from about 514 to 848 during the first year
of full-scale operation. Air transportation to the site
would be provided by the applicant from Anchorage and Kenai.
The primary skills required during construction would
be equipment operators, laborers, and various structural
construction trades. Mine operation would require primarily
equipment operators, mechanics, electricians, plumbers,
administrative personnel, and service workers for the worker
housing facilities. These skills are in plentiful supply in
the available labor force in Anchorage and the Kenai
Peninsula Borough. The applicant plans to hire as much of
the construction and operation labor force locally as
possible, with the possible exception of several specialized
equipment operators since persons with these skills are rare
in Alaska.
At full production, all of the project alternatives
would employ the same number of people. Therefore,
socioeconomic impacts in Anchorage and the Central Kenai
Peninsula, described below, apply to all action alter-
natives under the full production scenario.
A recent Kenai Peninsula Borough survey indicated that
about 80 percent of the oil and gas employees working the
Upper Cook Inlet fields Live in the Kenai Peninsula Borough
and the remainder live in Anchorage (Mcllhargy 1985).
However, company-sponsored transportation of these workers
to Cook Inlet work sites, is provided only from Kenai. The
applicant's local hire policy and probable provision of
transportation from both Anchorage and Kenai would likely
result in a higher proportion of worker residence in
Anchorage. A 50-50 distribution of worker residence between
Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula Borough during both mine
construction and operation is assumed for purposes of this
analysis.
Impacts on Anchorage
Relative to Anchorage's 116,442 jobs in 1984, the esti-
mated direct increase of approximately 650 jobs during the
construction period and 424 jobs during full-scale mine
5-60
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operation would cause proportionally small but beneficial
impacts to Anchorage's socioeconomy. Impacts on Anchorage's
population would be correspondingly beneficial, but not
noticeable given the level of baseline socioeconomic
activity in Anchorage.
Impacts^ on the Central Kenai Peninsula
The effect of the 650 construction and 424 mine opera-
tion jobs would be more noticeable in the Central Kenai
Peninsula (CKP) than in Anchorage. The most noticeable
impacts would be those occurring due to mine operation.
Operation-phase impacts are discussed below followed by a
summary of construction impacts.
Mine Operation
Although the project's entire operation work force
requirement would be directly filled by the locally-
available labor supply, indirect impacts could occur. A
common experience in Alaska, as in other areas where
substantial new employment has been created, is an influx of
persons seeking work. If this occurs, the impact of the
project could be to substantially increase employment in the
CKP, but not to noticeably change unemployment rates. To
place a reasonable maximum limit on population growth due to
the project, the following analysis assumes that immigration
would occur in proportion to the employment increase. The
actual impact of the project would probably be lower, par-
ticularly if state-wide efforts to discourage potential
migrants without jobs from moving to the state are success-
ful.
As the mine's employees spend their paychecks on local
goods and services, employment in the service sectors of the
CKP economy would increase. Thus, the ultimate increase in
employment would be a multiple of the direct increase of 424
operation-phase jobs for local workers generated at the mine
itself. Based on analysis of the Soldotna and Kenai Census
Areas' place-of-work employment distribution by economic
sector (Miller 1985), there are approximately 0.5 service-
sector jobs for every job that brings income into the
region. Therefore, the 424 jobs taken at the mine by CKP
residents can be expected to produce a total increment of
about 640 jobs. Most of the 216 service-sector jobs would
be located in the City of Kenai, the area's main center of
employment.
The spread of knowledge of substantial new employment
in the Borough could attract job-seekers, some of whom may
compete with Borough residents for jobs both at the mine and
at other CKP businesses. If this occurs, a high-side popu-
lation increase attributable to the project, including the
effects of the employment multiplier, can be estimated as
equiproportional to the increase in employment, or about 4
5-61
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percent in the CKP and up to 17 percent in Kenai if all
service-sector jobs and immigrants locate in the City (and
bring families approximately equal in size to the area's
existing families).
Because any immigrating job-seekers could be expected
to live in both Kenai and the surrounding area and some of
the 215 new jobs would also be located outside of Kenai , a
more reasonable estimated increase to the City's population
would be approximately 10 percent by full mine operation.
Thus, the maximum population increase to the City of Kenai
is estimated at 900 persons. For the CKP, the corresponding
population increase would be 1,600 (including the 900-person
increase to the City of Kenai). The proportional increase
would decline over time as the local socioeconomy grows due
to other economic developments.
The population increases described above could have
some impact on city planning but should not unduly strain
public services and facilities available in the City of
Kenai. The City has adequate excess capacity in its public
facilities and services to accommodate a current increase in
demand of 10 percent. Given the minimum of two years
required after the start of construction before appreciable
population increases are likely to be felt and the gradual
increase in mine operations-scale thereafter, there would be
adequate time for the City to plan for any service improve-
ment programs that may be required.
If a student-to-population ratio of one-third (the
approximate 1985 local average) applies to the 900 persons
expected to move to Kenai due to mine operation up to 300
students would be added to the Kenai schools. Several new
schools are being completed in the Kenai area and it is
expected that an increase in students due to the mine pro-
ject could be accommodated.
The population increase attributable to the project (up
to 1,600 persons) would also increase demand for health ser-
vices. If a requirement of 5 beds per 1000 population
(Nichols 1985) applies, 8 new beds would be required at
Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna.
The existing capacity of Kenai's water system is ade-
quate to service demand well into the 1990s. If water
demand growth is equal to annual projected without-project
population growth of 5 percent, peak dail demand in 1992
will be 1.7 million gallons per day (mgd). If the current
per capita peak daily demand of 343 gallons >er day applies
to the 900-person population impact of mine operation on
Kenai, the peak water demand increase would be about 310,000
gallons per day. The total peak demand of 2.0 mgd would be
well below the system's current pumping capacity of 2.9 mgd.
Kenai's sewage treatment system, however, will require
capacity improvements by the early 1990s without the pro-
5-62
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ject. The population increase attributable to mine opera-
tion will require system improvement about two years
earlier.
Kenai's police and fire protection services may also
require improvement due to mine operation. At the 19-85
population-to-officer ratio of 475:1, the population
increase of 900 would require two new positions in the
police department. Fire protection capacity may also
require upgrading to serve the 20 percent project-related
population increase. The type of capacity improvement would
depend upon the location of the increased population and the
type of housing and commercial facilities built in response
to the increased population.
The maximum population increases to the remaining com-
munities in the CKP would average under 3 percent by full
production and would also be gradual over the operations
phase-in period. The small population increase occurring
over time would not be expected to strain public facilities
and services in this larger area.
MineConstruction
Project construction would cause short-term increases
similar to, but probably of much lower magnitude than, those
described above for mine operation. Although the direct
increase to the employed work force in the CKP would be
higher (at about 650) than during operation, the short peak
construction period would likely limit induced service-
sector employment to a negligible level. Furthermore, the
short peak period would probably lower the level of inmigra-
tion by persons who may move to the area to attempt to
obtain construction- jobs.
»
5.3.6.2 Tyonek
For purposes of analysis, the potential socioeconomic
effects on the village of Tyonek are classified into three
categories: 1) effects on local employment, 2) effects on
community population and infrastructure including cumulative
socioeconomic effects, and 3) social and cultural effects.
Effect on Local Employment
Unemployment and underemployment are chronic problems
for residents of rural Alaskan villages and Tyonek is no
exception. A lack of a basic year-round industry is the
most pervasive reason for this economic problem. This
absence of a solid economic foundation is often compounded
by other problems when jobs do become available. For
example, unskilled local labor, work schedules incompatible
with subsistence and other traditional activities, lack of
effective training programs, and cultural differences
between Native workers and (usually) white employers contri-
5-63
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bute to the low levels of local employment in many Alaskan
villages. Even in rural areas where industrial or natural
resource development has occurred, employment of local resi-
dents frequently falls short of expectations. Low employ-
ment levels of Tyonek residents at the KLM timber harvesting
operation and chip mill in the late 1970s provide an illus-
tration of this problem. This case example is used to show
that large-scale resource development projects are not
necessarily a panacea to local unemployment problems and
that the barriers preventing expanded employment oppor-
tunities for rural residents are substantial and must be
approached with creative planning and implementation
measures by all parties.
Table 2-3 presented projected employment levels associ-
ated with the Diamond Chuitna Coal Project. These employ-
ment figures refer to mining-phase employment only and do
not include employment levels for project construction. Of
the projected 848 permanent employees, approximately 218
would be heavy equipment operators, 125 would be light
equipment and truck operators, 289 would be mechanics and
skilled maintenance personnel, 110 would be involved in
life support services (such as cooks), and 106 would be in
administrati. 2 positions (Table 5-23). Table 5-23 also pre-
sents the skills present in Tyonek1s current labor force.
These skills match, to a considerable degree, the skills
required by Diamond Alaska for operation of the coal mine.
The potential will therefore exist for Diamond Alaska to use
workers from Tyonek in a variety of capacities in both
construction and operation of the mine and related facili-
ties. Hence, the coal project has the potential to alle-
viate Tyonek's local unemployment problem.
In summary, the Diamond Alaska Coal Project would boost
local employment opportunities but in the long term would
not necessarily solve the unemployment problem in Tyonek.
The success of the effort to maintain a high level of local
employment would depend on the effectiveness of job training
programs, the individual performance of Tyonek workers,
Tyonek residents' adaptation to coal mining jobs, successful
integration of mine employment with subsistence activities
and agreements between Diamond Alaska and the village of
Tyonek.
Effects on Community Populationand Infrastructure
Because Diamond Alaska plans to house workers in a
"single status" housing facility, short-*: 2rm impacts on
Tyonek's population level, infrastructure, and community
services would be minimized. Worker needs, such as food,
waste disposal, indoor recreation, and others would be pro-
vided by the applicant at the housing facility. Impacts on
community population and infrastructure for other communi-
ties, such as Kenai and Anchorage, were discussed earlier.
5-64
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Table 5-23
MINING PHASE EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
Occupational Group
Mine
Employeesl
Number in
Tyonek2
Heavy Equipment
Operators
Light Equipment and
Truck Operators
Mechanics and Skilled
Maintenance
Life Support Personnel
(e.g., cooks, house-
keepers, etc.)
Administrative
Total
218
125
289
110
106
848
12
25
13
undetermined
13
1
Diamond Alaska Coal Company
<• Based on a 1983 survey by Darbyshire and Associates
(1984) that identified a total Tyonek work force of 145
people. These figures include the number of people
indicating skill in each general occupational group.
5-65
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