SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 4 − Impact MethodologyFor this analysis, specific potential impacts on biological resources are based on the following:• Relative importance or value of the resource affected, for example its legal, commercial,recreational, ecological, or scientific value;• The resource’s relevant occurrence in the region;• Sensitivity of the resource to the proposed action;• Anticipated physical extent of the potential impact; and• Anticipated duration of the ecological ramifications of the potential impact.In addition to these factors, public concerns expressed during the scoping process were alsoconsidered in the impact analysis.Direct effects of significant wetland degradation include:• Increased peak flow and decrease lag time of water flow during runoff events• Decreased volume of water flowing during low flow• Loss of erosion control• Loss of streambank stability• Loss of riparian habitats• Loss of highly productive fish and wildlife habitat• Increased water temperatures during summer• Loss of organic matter in water, resulting in lower productivity• Loss of filtering capacity so sediments and pollutants flow through the system more readily• Loss of permafrost or creation of thermokarst conditionsEach alternative was evaluated for its potential to impact biological resources adversely. Impactsfrom cantonment and range construction, and live-fire and maneuver training, as well as impacts fromconstruction of facilities and the facilities themselves were evaluated for their potential to affectbiological resources adversely. Each activity is assessed based on its location and associated activitiesin relation to the known presence and extent of biological resources on the installation. The sensitivityof biological resources is evaluated based on the following criteria, listed in order of importance:• Designation of the resource by federal and state resource agencies (for example, USACE, NOAA,and the USFWS) as a high value or sensitive resource;• Any known or presumed regional sensitivity of the resource; and• Any known or presumed local significance of the resource.Direct impacts may be short-term or long-term, depending on how the biological resources are alteredor lost during the course of the project implementation and operation. Examples of direct impactsfrom project-related construction include grading or brushing vegetation (using a chain to tear outshrubs and brush to leave behind herbaceous plants), filling drainage areas, and losing or interruptingwildlife foraging or nesting areas.February 2008 4–15 2/25th SBCT Final EIS