Integrated Training Area Management EA and Final FNSI

SRAThrough the SRA program, soldiers would be educated on the types of activities that require a permit,including depositing soil or other materials into wetlands, extracting water from wetlands, refraining fromdigging in wetlands, and projects taking place in or near wetland areas. Environmental limitations mapswould continue to be distributed to soldiers so they would be aware of sensitive areas, including wetlands.RTLARTLA would benefit wetlands by monitoring wetlands use to prevent prohibited activities in thesesensitive habitats and to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts. Military training activity anddamage to wetlands would be tracked, recorded annually, and submitted to the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers if the five-year wetlands permit is renewed. Recreational impacts to wetlands would also bemonitored under RTLA.LRAMWetlands restoration under LRAM would have beneficial impacts. Wetlands restoration would includereturning the soils, hydrology, vegetative community, and biological habitat to a natural condition to theextent practicable. This may require the use of biological and chemical controls to control undesirableplant species and pests. Use of biological controls, such as predator or parasitic species, would beimplemented where available and feasible.Road hardening, road crossings and maneuver trail upgrades would benefit wetlands by improving roadconditions. This would encourage drivers to remain on the road and out of wetland areas. Drivers aremore likely to remain on roads if they are in good condition.Other LRAM projects are located so as to avoid wetlands whenever possible. Some LRAM activities,however, would have adverse impacts to wetlands if they cannot be avoided. These impacts includegravel pit development and mechanical cutting and clearing. This impact is considered minor adverse dueto USARAK’s preference to avoid wetlands for construction projects. Required permits would be securedprior to any dredging or filling of wetlands.Alternative 2: Implement ITAM Program through a Management Plan (Proposed Action)Impacts to wetlands from Alternative 2 would be similar to those described under Alternative 1. Standardprocedures for all ITAM programs identified in the USARAK ITAM Management Plan will provideconsistent and efficient work practices. This may improve wetlands by ensuring that contractorsperforming the work would adhere to the standard procedures designed to protect and restore wetlandareas.Alternative 3: Suspend ITAM ProgramUnder Alternative 3, ITAM activities would not continue on USARAK installations. This action wouldhave severe adverse impacts to wetlands. The greatest impacts would result from maneuver vehicledamage if soldiers and trainers did not avoid sensitive wetland areas. Disturbed wetlands would notundergo remediation.The following table presents a summary of qualitative impact to wetlands resulting from each alternative.Descriptions of the qualitative terms are provided in Chapter 2, Description of Proposed Action andAlternatives._____________________________________________________________________________________________Environmental AssessmentUnited States Army Alaska, Integrated Training Area Management ProgramManagement Plan 32