Integrated Training Area Management EA and Final FNSI

Table 3.3 Summary of Impacts 1 to Wetlands.ITAM Activity Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3TRI Beneficial Beneficial SevereLRAM Minor to Beneficial Minor to Beneficial SevereSRA Beneficial Beneficial SevereRTLA Beneficial Beneficial SevereGIS Beneficial Beneficial Severe1 Short-term and long-term impacts are expected to be similar.Cumulative ImpactsThe region of influence for wetlands impacts resulting from the proposed action would be limited toinstallation lands. Past wetland disturbance due to maneuver training has been limited since most traininghas occurred during winter. Some wetland damage has occurred from training, munitions, and recreationimpacts. Current and future construction, training, and non-military activities could impact some wetlandson all installations. Clean Water Act Section 404 permits have been issued for construction, training, andvegetation management activities within wetlands. Impacts are reduced by following conditions outlinedin Section 404 permits or choosing sites where wetlands do not exist (which is part of USARAK’s bestmanagement practices). The ITAM program further mitigates impacts by restoring damaged wetlands,protecting sensitive wetlands from damage by training or recreation, and monitoring wetland quality.Some projects involving road and trail widening or tree clearing would add to adverse cumulative wetlandimpacts, but they would be considered minor and insignificant.3.4 WATER RESOURCES3.4.1 Affected EnvironmentWaterways in Alaska are designated for one or more of the following uses:Class A: Water supply(i) drinking, culinary, and food processing(ii) agriculture, including irrigation and stock watering(iii) aquaculture(iv) industrialClass B: Water recreation(i) contact recreation(ii) secondary recreationClass C: Growth and propagation of fish, shellfish, other aquatic life and wildlifeWater quality criteria were developed by the State of Alaska for each designated use (18 AAC 70). If awater body is designated as having more than one use class, the more stringent water quality criterionapplies.Fort RichardsonFort Richardson has 12 named lakes and ponds and several unnamed water bodies. The combined area forthe named lakes and ponds is 359 acres. Five relatively large lakes, Clunie, Otter, Gwen, Thompson, andWaldon, are managed for recreational fishing. The waters on Fort Richardson are protected by freshwateruse classes A, B and C, as assigned by the State of Alaska._____________________________________________________________________________________________Environmental AssessmentUnited States Army Alaska, Integrated Training Area Management ProgramManagement Plan 33